Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials

ABSTRACT

An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/155,505 filed Jan. 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,304, which is aContinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/746,393, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,757,438, filed on Jan. 22, 2013, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/938,495, filed Nov. 3, 2010, nowabandoned, which was a Divisional Application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/555,545, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,304, filed on Sep. 8, 2009,which is a Continuation-in-part Application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/274,752, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,348, filed on Nov. 20,2008, which is in turn a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/928,152, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485, filed onOct. 30, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/274,752 is also aContinuation-In-Part Application of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.11/373,702 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,801, filed on Mar. 10, 2006. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/928,152 is also a Continuation-In-PartApplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/372,723, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,522,257 filed on Mar. 10, 2006, which claims priority of U.S.Provisional application No. 60/664,369 filed on Mar. 23, 2005 and is aContinuation-in-part of the U.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,030,902, filed on Jan. 22, 2002, which in turn claimspriority of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/263,498, filed on Jan.23, 2001. The based applications, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.11/928,152 and 11/372,723, also claim priority of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/373,702, filed Mar. 10, 2006, which claimspriority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/661,847, filed on Mar.15, 2005. The entire contents of each of the above Applications arebeing herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of motion pictures and to a systemcalled 3Deeps that will allow almost any motion picture filmed in 2D(single image) to be viewed with the visual effect of 3-dimensions whenviewed through 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. More specifically, theinvention relates to the presentation of motion pictures and to the useof multiple layers of electronically controlled variable tint materialsto fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deeps Filter Spectacle toachieve faster transition times than may be achieved by the use of onlya single layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention directs to Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectaclesfor viewing 2D movies as 3D movies. Previously, related patentapplications for Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles havebeen disclosed that use electronically controlled variable tintmaterials for fabrication of the right and left lenses of the viewingspectacles. Generally, electronically controlled variable tint materialschange the light transmission properties of the material in response tovoltage applied across the material, and include but are not limited toelectrochromic devices, suspended particle devices, and polymerdispersed liquid crystal devices. Such material provides preciseelectronic control over the amount of light transmission.

3Deeps spectacles adjust the optical properties so that the left andright lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles take on one of 3 states insynchronization to lateral motion occurring within the movie; aclear-clear state (clear left lens and clear right lens) when there isno lateral motion in successive frames of the motion picture; aclear-darkened state when there is left-to-right lateral motion insuccessive frame of the motion picture; and, a darkened-clear state whenthere is right-to-left lateral motion in successive frames of the motionpicture.

We note that ‘clear’ is a relative term and even ‘clear’ glass willblock a small percentage of light transmission. A clear lens is then onethat transmits almost ail light through the material.

Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles are improved 3Deepsspectacles in that the darkened state continuously changes to take anoptical density to provide the maximum Pulfrich stereoscopic 3D illusionoptimized for (a) the speed and direction of lateral motion, and (b) thetransition time of the electrochromic material from which the lenses arefabricated.

The problem addressed by the preferred embodiment of this invention isthat of slow transition time when transitioning between differentoptical densities of the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles. Optimal control of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles is achieved by adjusting the right- and left-lenses tothe optimal optical density synchronized to maximize the 3D effect ofthe Pulfrich illusion between frames of the motion picture with respectto the transition time properties of the electrochromic material. As anexample, a movie that is shown on a 100 Hz digital TV may require asmany as 100 different optical density controlled lens transitions persecond to optimally synchronize to the speed and direction of lateralmotion in the motion picture. Most often the transitions insynchronization to the movie are small minor adjustments to the opticaldensity of the lens that can be accomplished in the allotted time. Aproblem arises when 3Deeps Filter spectacles are fabricated fromelectronically controlled variable tint materials that are incapable ofthe ‘fast’ transition times that are sometimes required as for instancebetween scene changes. While electronically controlled variable tintmaterials may be able to achieve fast transitions from one opticaldensity state to another optical density state that are ‘near’ or‘close’ to each other, it may be incapable of transition between opticaldensity states that are far apart. However, faster transition timesusing any electronically controlled variable tint material can beachieved by the simple expedient of using 2 or more layers—ormulti-layers—of such material. Using multiple layers of material doesresult in a darker clear state, but the difference is minimal and barelyperceptible, so the tradeoff between a slightly darker clear state andfaster transition time is considered and warranted.

Another problem relates to the ‘cycle life’ (number of clear-dark cyclesbefore failure) of some optoelectronic materials that may be limited.The ‘cycle life’ may be increased by using multiple layers ofoptoelectronic materials since the electric potential applied to thematerial to achieve a target optical density will be for a shorterperiod of time.

Another problem addressed by an alternate embodiment of this inventionis that different methods of 3D require distinct viewing spectacles.However, with electronically controlled viewing spectacles, a singleviewing spectacle can be switch selectable for different opticaleffects. For instance, to view a 3D movie that uses the anaglyph methodto achieve 3D stereoscopy requires use of a different pair of spectacles(red-blue lenses) than that used for 3Deeps viewing. Other preferredembodiments of the invention relate to multi-use of the spectacles. Theuse of multi-layers of electronically controlled variable tint materialswhere different layers relate to different viewing methods, allow asingle spectacle to be selectable to achieve different optical effects.For instance, while one or more layers of electronically controlledvariable tint materials may be used for Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles, another layer of materials may be used for anaglyph3D spectacles. This would extend the use of a single pair spectacles soit can be selectively used for either Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles viewing of 2D filmed movies or for anaglyph viewing of3D filmed movies. It would also allow switching within any motionpicture between 2D and 3D for a specific method, and/or switching withinany motion picture between different methods of 3D. Till now a 3D motionpicture may have been filmed in its entirety as anaglyph. With thisinvention the motion picture could have been filmed in part 2D with themulti-layer specs then set by signalization to a clear-clear state, andanother part of the motion picture could have been filmed in 3D anaglyphwith the multi-layer spectacles then set by signalization to a red-bluestate. In another embodiment the picture may be filmed in part in 2D and3D anaglyph, and shown to viewers in 2D, 3D using 3Deeps spectacle, and3D anaglyph with the spectacles set accordingly.

* * *

Movies are generally made from a series of single, non-repetitivepictures which are viewed at a speed that provides the viewer with theappearance of continuous movement. These series of single pictures arepositioned in adjacent picture frames, in sequential order, whereinadjacent pictures are substantially similar to each other and vary onlyslightly from each other. Usually, movies are created using moviecameras, which capture the actual movement of the object; with animatedmovies, a series of individual pictures or cells are created, usually byhand or computer, and assembled in sequential order where adjacentpictures of a scene are substantially similar to each other and varyonly slightly. Standard film projection is 24 frames per second,American video standard NTSC is 30 f.p.s.

The appearance of continuous movement, using only two substantiallysimilar pictures, has been accomplished in live performance bysimultaneous projection of both images onto a screen, wherein onepicture may be slightly off-set from the other picture as they appear onthe screen, and by rotating a two-bladed propeller, wherein thepropeller blades are set off from one another by 180 degrees, in frontof and between the two projectors such that the two images are made toboth alternate and overlap in their appearances, with both images inturn alternating with an interval of complete darkness onscreen whenboth projections are blocked by the spinning propeller. A viewer, usingno special spectacles or visual aids, perceives a scene of limitedaction (with a degree of illusionary depth) that can be sustainedindefinitely in any chosen direction: an evolving yet limited actionappears to be happening continually without visiblereturn-and-start-over repetition. Thus the viewer sees a visual illusionof an event impossible in actual life. Similarly, the manner in whichthings appear in depth are likely to be at odds, often extremely so,with the spatial character of the original photographed scene. Further,the character of movement and of depth has been made malleable in thehands of the projectionist during performance (so much so that suchfilm-performance has been likened to a form of puppetry); the physicalshifting of one of the two projections changes the visual relationshipbetween them and thereby the character of the screen event produced.Similarly, small changes during performance in speed, placement anddirection of propeller spin will cause radical changes in the visualevent produced onscreen.

Other visual arts which relate to the present invention are the Pulfrichfilter. For one program, titled “Bitemporal Vision: The Sea”, viewerswere invited to place a Pulfrich light-reducing filter before one eye toboth enhance and transform the already apparent depth character of thepresentation.

Limited to presentation in live performance, such unique visualphenomena as described has been transient theater. Attempts to capturethe phenomena by way of video-camera recording of the screenimage havebeen disappointingly compromised, so that—in over 25 years of suchpresentation (of so-called “Nervous System Film Performances”) noattempt has been made to commercialize such recordings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method has now been discovered for originating visual illusions offigures and spaces in continuous movement in any chosen direction usinga finite number of pictures (as few as two pictures) that can bepermanently stored and copied and displayed on motion picture film orelectronic media. The method of the present invention entails repetitivepresentation to the viewer of at least two substantially similar imagepictures alternating with a third visual interval or bridging picturethat is substantially dissimilar to the other substantially similarpictures in order to create the appearance of continuous, seamless andsustained directional movement.

Specifically, two or more image pictures are repetitively presentedtogether with a bridging interval (a bridging picture) which ispreferably a solid black or other solid-colored picture, but may also bea strongly contrasting image-picture readily distinguished from the twoor more pictures that are substantially similar. In electronic media,the bridge-picture may simply be a timed unlit-screen pause betweenserial re-appearances of the two or more similar image pictures. Therolling movements of pictorial forms thus created (figures thatuncannily stay in place while maintaining directional movement, and donot move into a further phase of movement until replaced by a new set ofrotating units) is referred to as Eternalisms, and the process ofcomposing such visual events is referred to as Eternalizing.

The three film or video picture-units are arranged to strike the eyessequentially. For example, where A and B are the image pictures and C isthe bridging picture, the picture units are arranged (A, B, C). Thisarrangement is then repeated any number of times, as a continuing“loop”. The view of this continuing loop allows for the perception of aperceptual combining and sustained movement of image pictures (A, B).Naturally, if this loop is placed on a film strip, then it is arrangedand repeated in a linear manner (A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C,etc.). The repetition of the sequence provides an illusion of continuousmovement of the image pictures (A, B); with bridging picture (C),preferably in the form of a neutral or black frame, not consciouslynoticed by the viewer at all, except perhaps as a subtle flicker.

A more fluid or natural illusion of continuous movement from a finitenumber of image pictures is provided by using two of each of the threepictures and repeating the cycle of the pairs sequentially, or byblending adjacent pictures together on an additional picture-frame andplacing the blended picture between the pictures in sequential order.The two image pictures (A, B) are now blended with each other to produce(A/B); the two image pictures are also blended with the bridging pictureto produce (C/A and B/C), and then all pictures repeat in a seriesstarting with the bridging picture (C, C/A, A, A/B, B, B/C) each blendedpicture being represented by the two letters with a slash therebetween).This series is repeated a plurality of times to sustain the illusion aslong as desired. Repeating the sequence with additional blended framesprovides more fluid illusion of continuous movement of the (opticallycombined) two image pictures (A, B).

Additionally, various arrangements of the pictures and the blends can beemployed in the present invention and need not be the same each time. Byvarying the order of pictures in the sequence, the beat or rhythm of thepictures is changed. For example, A, B, C can be followed by A, A/B, B,B/C, C which in turn is followed by A, A, A/B, B, B, B, B/C, C, C, C, C,i.e. A, B, C, A, A/B, B, B/C, C, A, A, A/B, B, B, B, B/C, B/C, C, C, C,C, A, B, C, A, etc.

With A and B frames being similar images (such as a pair of normaltwo-eye perspective views of a three-dimensional scene from life), andframe C a contrasting frame (preferably a solid-color picture instead ofan image-picture) relative to A,B, frame C acts as essentially a“bridge-interval” placed between recurrences of A,B. Any color can beused for the contrasting frame C: for example, blue, white, green;however, black is usually preferred. The contrasting frame can also bechosen from one of the colors in one of the two image pictures. Forexample, if one of the image pictures has a large patch of dark blue,then the color of the contrasting frame, bridging picture, may be darkblue.

Blending of the pictures is accomplished in any manner which allows forboth pictures to be merged in the same picture frame. Thus, the term“blending” as used in the specification and claims can also be calledsuperimposing, since one picture is merged with the other picture.Blending is done in a conventional manner using conventional equipment,suitably, photographic means, a computer, an optical printer, or a rearscreen projection device. For animated art, the blending can be done byhand as in hand drawing or hand painting. Preferably, a computer isused. Suitable software programs include Adobe Photoshop, Media 100 andAdobe After Affects. Good results have been obtained with Media 100 fromMultimedia Group Data Translations, Inc. of Marlborough, Mass., USA.

When using Media 100, suitable techniques include additive dissolving,cross-dissolving, and dissolving-fast fix and dither dissolving.

In blending the pictures, it is preferred to use 50% of one and 50% ofthe other. However, the blending can be done on a sliding scale, forexample with three blended pictures, a sliding scale of quarters, i.e.75% A/25% B, 50% A/50% B, 25% A/75% B. Good results have been obtainedwith a 50%/50% mix, i.e. a blend of 50% A/50% B.

The two image pictures, A and B, which are visually similar to eachother, are preferably taken from side-by-side frame exposures from amotion picture film of an object or image or that is moving such thatwhen one is overlaid with the other, only a slight difference is notedbetween the two images.

Alternatively, the two image pictures are identical except that one isoff-center from the other. The direction of the off-center, e.g. up,down, right, or left, will determine which direction the series providesthe appearance of movement, e.g. if image picture B is off-center fromimage picture A to the right of A, the series of C, C/A, A, A/B, B, B/Cwill have the appearance of moving from left to right. Likewise, if youreverse the order of appearance then the appearance of movement will beto the left.

More than two image pictures can be used in the invention. Likewise,more than one bridging picture can be used in the present invention. Forexample, four image pictures can be used along with one bridgingpicture. In this case, the series for the four image pictures,designated A, B, D and E, would be: C, A, B, D, E; or a 50/50 blend C,C/A, A, A/B, B, B/D, D, D/E, E, E/C; or side-by-side pairs, C, C, A, A,B, B, D, D, E, E.

The image picture need not fill the picture frame. Furthermore, morethan one image picture can be employed per frame. Thus, the pictureframe can contain a cluster of images and the image or images need notnecessarily filling up the entire frame. Also, only portions of imagepictures can be used to form the image used in the present invention.

Also, image pictures and portions of the image picture can be combinedsuch that the combination is used as the second image picture. Theportion of the image picture is offset from the first image picture whenthey are combined such that there is an appearance of movement. Forexample, a window from image picture A can be moved slightly while thebackground remains the same, the picture with the moved window isdesignated imago picture B and the two combined to create the appearanceof the window moving and/or enlarging or shrinking in size. In thiscase, both picture A and picture B are identical except for theplacement of the window in the image picture. The same can also be doneby using an identical background in both image pictures andsuperimposing on both pictures an image which is positioned slightlydifferent in each picture. The image could be a window, as before, of aman walking, for example.

The number of series which are put together can be finite if it is madeon a length of film or infinite if it is set on a continuous cycle orloop wherein it repeats itself.

In accordance with an embodiment, an electrically controlled spectaclefor viewing a video is provided. The electrically controlled spectacleincludes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in theframe. The lenses comprise a left lens and a right lens, each of theoptoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state ofthe left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. Theelectrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed inthe frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of eachof the lenses independently.

In one embodiment, each of the lenses has a dark state and a lightstate.

In another embodiment, when viewing a video the control unit places boththe left lens and the right lens to a dark state.

In another embodiment, a method for viewing a video is provided. A userwears the electrically controlled spectacle described above, and thewearer is shown a video having dissimilar bridge frames and similarimage frames.

In accordance with another embodiment, a first modified image frame isdetermined by removing a first portion of a selected image frame. Asecond modified image frame different from the first modified imageframe is determined by removing a second portion of the selected imageframe. A third modified image frame different from the first and secondmodified image frames is determined by removing a third portion of theselected image frame. A first bridge image frame different from theselected image frame and different from the first, second, and thirdmodified image frames is determined. A second bridge image framedifferent from the selected image frame, different from the first,second, and third modified image frames, and different from the firstbridge image frame is determined. The first bridge image frame isblended with the first modified image frame, generating a first blendedimage frame. The first bridge image frame is blended with the secondmodified image frame, generating a second blended image frame. The firstbridge image frame is blended with the third modified image frame,generating a third blended image frame. The first blended image frame,the second blended image frame, and the third blended image frame areoverlaid to generate an overlayed image frame. The overlayed image frameand the second bridge image frame are displayed.

In one embodiment, the first bridge image frame comprises a non-solidcolor.

In another embodiment, each of the optoelectronic lenses comprises aplurality of layers of optoelectronic material.

In accordance with another embodiment, a first modified image frame isdetermined by removing a first portion of a selected image frame. Asecond modified image frame different from the first modified imageframe is determined by removing a second portion of the selected imageframe. A third modified image frame is determined by removing a thirdportion of the first modified image frame. A fourth modified image framedifferent from the third modified image frame is determined by removinga fourth portion of the first modified image frame. A fifth modifiedimage frame different from the third and fourth modified image frames isdetermined by removing a fifth portion of the first modified imageframe. A sixth modified image frame is determined by removing a sixthportion of the second modified image frame. A seventh modified imageframe different from the sixth modified image frame is determined byremoving a seventh portion of the second modified image frame. An eighthmodified image frame different from the sixth and seventh modified imageframes is determined by removing an eighth portion of the secondmodified image frame. A first bridge image frame different from thefirst and second modified image frames is determined. A second bridgeimage frame different from the first and second modified image frames,and different from the first bridge image frame is determined. A thirdbridge image frame different from the first and second modified imageframes, and different from the first and second bridge image frames isdetermined. A fourth bridge image frame different from the first andsecond modified image frames, and different from the first, second andthird bridge image frames is determined. A first blended image frame isgenerated by blending the third modified image frame with the firstbridge image frame. A second blended image frame is generated byblending the fourth modified image frame with the second bridge imageframe. A third blended image frame is generated by blending the fifthmodified image frame with the third bridge image frame. The firstblended image frame, the second blended image frame, the third blendedimage frame, and the fourth bridge image frame are displayed. A fourthblended image frame is generated by blending the sixth modified imageframe with the first bridge image frame. A fifth blended image frame isgenerated by blending the seventh modified image frame with the secondbridge image frame. A sixth blended image frame is generated by blendingthe eighth modified image frame with the third bridge image frame. Thefourth blended image frame, the fifth blended image frame, the sixthblended image frame, and the fourth bridge image frame are displayed.

In one embodiment, the fourth bridge image frame is solid white, and thespectacle frame comprises a sensor adapted to receive synchronizationsignals embedded in the video and provide the synchronization signals tothe control unit.

In accordance with another embodiment, a first modified image frame isdetermined by removing a first portion of a selected image frame. Asecond modified image frame different from the first modified imageframe is determined by removing a second portion of the selected imageframe. A third modified image frame different from the first and secondmodified image frames is determined by removing a third portion of theselected image frame. A bridge image frame different from the selectedimage frame and different from the first, second, and third modifiedimage frames is determined. The first modified image frame, the secondmodified image frame, and the third modified image frame are overlaid,to generate an overlayed image frame. The overlayed image frame and thebridge image frame are displayed.

In accordance with another embodiment, a bridge image frame that isdifferent from a first image frame and different from a second imageframe is determined, the first and second image frames being consecutiveimage frames in a video. A first modified image frame is determined byremoving a first portion of the first image frame. A second modifiedimage frame different from the first modified image frame is determinedby removing a second portion of the first image frame. A third modifiedimage frame different from the first and second modified image frames isdetermined by removing a third portion of the first image frame. Thefirst, second, and third modified image frames are overlaid to generatea first overlayed image frame. The first overlayed image frame and thebridge image frame are displayed. A fourth modified image frame isdetermined by removing a fourth portion of the second image frame. Afifth modified image frame different from the fourth modified imageframe is determined by removing a fifth portion of the second imageframe. A sixth modified image frame different from the fourth and fifthmodified image frames is determined by removing a sixth portion of thesecond image frame. The fourth, fifth, and sixth modified image framesare overlaid to generate a second overlayed image frame. The secondoverlayed image frame and the bridge image frame are displayed.

In accordance with another embodiment, a first modified image frame isdetermined by removing a first portion of a selected image frame. Asecond modified image frame different from the first modified imageframe is determined by removing a second portion of the selected imageframe. A third modified image frame different from the first and secondmodified image frames is determined by removing a third portion of theselected image frame. A first bridge image frame different from thefirst, second, and third modified image frames is determined. A secondbridge image frame different from the first, second, and third modifiedimage frames, and different from the first bridge image frame isdetermined. A third bridge image frame different from the first, second,and third modified image frames, and different from the first and secondbridge image frames is determined. A fourth bridge image frame differentfrom the first, second, and third modified image frames, and differentfrom the first, second and third bridge image frames is determined. Thefirst modified image frame is blended with the first bridge image frameto generate a first blended image frame. The second modified image frameis blended with the second bridge image frame to generate a secondblended image frame. The third modified image frame is blended with thethird bridge image frame to generate a third blended image frame. Thefirst blended image frame, the second blended image frame, and the thirdblended image frame are overlaid to generate an overlayed image frame.The overlayed image frame and the fourth bridge image frame aredisplayed.

In one embodiment, the fourth bridge image frame is solid white, and thespectacle frame comprises a sensor adapted to receive synchronizationsignals embedded in the video and provide the synchronization signals tothe control unit.

In accordance with another embodiment, a first modified image frame isdetermined by removing a first portion of a selected image frame. Asecond modified image frame different from the first modified imageframe is determined by removing a second portion of the selected imageframe. A third modified image frame is determined by removing a thirdportion of the first modified image frame. A fourth modified image framedifferent from the third modified image frame is determined by removinga fourth portion of the first modified image frame. A fifth modifiedimage frame different from the third and fourth modified image frames isdetermined by removing a fifth portion of the first modified imageframe. A sixth modified image frame is determined by removing a sixthportion of the second modified image frame. A seventh modified imageframe different from the sixth modified image frame is determined byremoving a seventh portion of the second modified image frame. An eighthmodified image frame different from the sixth and seventh modified imageframes is determined by removing an eighth portion of the secondmodified image frame. A first bridge image frame different from thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight modifiedimage frames is determined. A second bridge image frame different fromthe first bridge image frame and different from the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight modified image frames isdetermined. The first bridge image frame is blended with the thirdmodified image frame to generate a first blended image frame. The firstbridge image frame is blended with the fourth modified image frame togenerate a second blended image frame. The first bridge image frame isblended with the fifth modified image frame to generate a third blendedimage frame. The first blended image frame, the second blended imageframe, and the third blended image frame are overlaid to generate afirst overlayed image frame. The first overlayed image frame and thesecond bridge image frame are displayed. The first bridge image frame isblended with the sixth modified image frame to generate a fourth blendedimage frame. The first bridge image frame is blended with the seventhmodified image frame to generate a fifth blended image frame. The firstbridge image frame is blended with the eighth modified image frame togenerate a sixth blended image frame. The fourth blended image frame,the fifth blended image frame, and the sixth blended image frame areoverlaid to generate a second overlayed image frame. The secondoverlayed image frame and the second bridge image frame are displayed.

In one embodiment, the first bridge image frame comprises a non-solidcolor.

In accordance with another embodiment, one or more of the followingactions may be performed in performing one or more of the methodsdescribed above: generating a blended image frame by blending aplurality of image frames, generating a combined image frame bycombining a plurality of image frames, generating a combined imagesequence by combining a plurality of image sequences, generating one ormore doubled image frames by doubling one or more image frames,generating an overlayed image frame by overlaying a plurality of imageframes, generating a modified image frame by removing a portion of animage frame, repeating one of an image frame or a series of imageframes, generating a sequence of image frames, generating a collagebased on one or more portions of one or more image frames, stitchingtogether one or more portions of one or more image frames, superimposinga first image frame on a second image frame, determining a transitionalframe, inserting and/or lifting a portion of a first image frame into asecond image frame, reshaping a portion of an image frame, andrelocating a portion of an image frame.

Many advantages, features, and applications of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the invention thatis provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 2 a shows a left lens of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles fabricated from a single layer of electrochromic material.

FIG. 2 b shows details of an electrochromic device for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the right and leftlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the operation of the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricated from multiplelayers of electrochromic material.

FIG. 6 a shows a left lens of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromic material.

FIG. 6 b shows details of a multiple layered electrochromic device forfabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material of theright and left lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the operation of the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles using a multiple layered electrochromic devicefor fabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material ofthe right and left lenses.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using a multiple layeredelectrochromic device for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right and left lenses.

FIG. 9 is a transition time curve for a single layer of electrochromicmaterial with transition time as a function of transmissivity.

FIG. 10 is a transition time curve for a double layer (multi-layer) ofelectrochromic material with transition time as a function oftransmissivity.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withsingle-layered lenses.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the operation of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with single-layered lenses.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withsingle-layered lenses.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withmulti-layered lenses.

FIG. 15 a shows a left lens of Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricated from multiplelayers of electrochromic materials.

FIG. 15 b shows details of a Multi-Use electrochromic device forfabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material of theright and left lenses of the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled 3DeepsContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multi-layeredlenses.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the operation of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with multi-layered lenses.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theMulti-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles with multi-layered lenses.

FIGS. 18 a-18 c illustrates the present invention with three pictures.

FIGS. 19 a-19 c illustrates the present invention using three picturesalong with blended pictures.

FIGS. 20 a-20 c illustrates the present invention using the same picturewherein one is offset from the other.

FIGS. 21 a-21 b illustrates the present invention with side-by-sidepairs of pictures.

FIGS. 22 a-22 c illustrates the present invention wherein pictures G andH are identical but image F has been imposed in a slightly differentlocation.

FIGS. 23 a-23 c illustrates pictures of two women in Eternalism with twopictures.

FIGS. 24 a-24 c illustrates the women of FIG. 6 with a 50-50 blendbetween the women and the women and the bridging frame.

FIGS. 25 a-25 c illustrates the same women in two different perspectives(not apparent to normal viewing as pictured here), joined to create anEternalism.

FIGS. 26 a-26 b illustrates the doubling of the frames from FIG. 6.

FIGS. 27 a-27 c illustrates the two women with a smaller frame depictinga portion of one woman repeated and overlayed in the upper left-handcorner of the frame to create a separate depth-configuration within thelarger frame.

FIG. 28 illustrates a combination of the two women with a portion of theone woman both in the bridging frame as well as in one of the framesthat contain both women.

FIG. 29 illustrates Eternalism with two women and a circle movingthrough the frames.

FIG. 30 illustrates the Pulfrich filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments ofthe invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

To help understand the invention the following summary of inventive workfrom the previous related patent disclosures is provided. The purpose ofthis section then is to explain the ground that has been covered inprevious related patents and then identify the problems that thiscurrent patent application addresses and solves.

The Pulfrich Illusion

There is a well-studied stereoscopic illusion called the Pulfrichillusion in which the illusion of 3D is invoked by differentiallyshading the left and right eye. Anyone watching TV through specialviewing glasses can see the illusion. One way to construct the specialPulfrich viewing glasses is to take sunglasses and remove the left lens,so that the left eye views the TV screen unobstructed and the right eyeviews the TV screen through the darkened sunglass lens. With suchPulfrich viewing spectacles ail screen motion from left-to-right will bein 3D. The illusion is based on basic eye mechanics—the shaded lenscauses the eye to send the image to the brain later than unshaded eye.If the time difference is 1/10 second than on a 100 Hz digital TV thedifference is 10 screen images, which is enough to produce a vividillusion of 3D in the presence of moderate lateral motion. The imageprocessing part of the brain puts the two disparate images together asdepth. This is a pure optical illusion that has nothing to do with how amotion picture is filmed.

The Pulfrich illusion has been used for more than 50 years to produce 3Dmovies, using cardboard viewing spectacles with a clear left lens anddark transparent right lens. Pulfrich 3D motion pictures have beenproduced including such offerings as the 1971 feature length movie “I,Monster” Starring Christopher Lee as well as selected scenes from the1997 second season finale of the network TV sitcom “Third Rock From TheSun”. However there is a problem in that the special Pulfrich viewingglasses impose severe constraints on both the movie and viewing venue.

More specifically, the problem then is that for any special viewingspectacles with lenses of a fixed optical density, the lighting, andspeed and direction of screen motion have to be in exactly properalignment to get an optimal 3D effect that is comparable to other 3Dmethods such as anaglyph (blue-red viewing spectacles). That conjunctionof light and motion rarely happens so Pulfrich is not considered aviable approach to 3D movies or TV. Movies made for viewing using thePulfrich illusion are best viewed in darkened venues, and if the samemovie is viewed in a brightly lit venue the illusion is diminished ormay even totally disappear.

These problems could be addressed if dynamic Pulfrich viewing spectaclescould be constructed that self-configured themselves to the light andmotion instant in a motion picture. However, such dynamic viewingspectacles still must be totally passive to the viewer.

3Deeps Systems Proposed in the Earliest Related Patent Applications

Early solutions provided dynamic Pulfrich viewing spectacles (called3Deeps viewing spectacles) that could be synchronized to the movies.These solutions utilized neutral optoelectronic lenses (transmissivityof visible light) that are controllable by an electric potential. Thelenses could take any of three states; clear left lens and clear rightlens (clear-clear) when there is no screen motion; clear left lens anddark right lens (clear-dark) when screen motion is from left to right;and, dark left lens and clear right lens (dark-clear) when the screenmotion is from right to left. Wired or wireless signals (Infrared,radio, or sound) synchronized the 3Deeps viewing spectacles to themovies. These early solutions also addressed how to calculate thelateral motion between frames of a motion picture and thesynchronization controllers that calculated and transmitted the motionvector information to the 3Deeps viewing spectacles. The proposedsolution had significant benefits and advantages including:

-   -   Every movie ever made—without additional alteration or        processing—could be viewed in 3D when wearing 3Deeps spectacles    -   A movie could be viewed simultaneously by viewers with or        without 3Deeps spectacles, and    -   No changes are required to any broadcast standards, cinema        formatting, viewing venue, or viewing monitors

It should be understood, that the natural view of the world thatviewer's expect of cinema is 3-dimensional, and to any movie viewer withbinocular vision, it is the screen flatness of 2D that is strange andunnatural. From the earliest days of motion pictures cinematographershave used light and lateral movement as cues to help the viewertranslate 2D screen flatness into their binocular vision expectations.But light and lateral motion are precisely the factors that elicit thePulfrich illusion, so when movies are produced, cinematographers andlighting specialists stress precisely the features that the 3Deepssystems can translate into the natural sense of depth that the viewer isexpecting. That is to say, since the advent of moving pictures,filmmakers have been unknowingly preparing their movies for advantageous3D viewing using 3Deeps spectacles.

However, the early 3Deeps spectacles did not address how to calculate anoptical density for the lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles that wouldmaximize the Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

A Second Solution—Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles

The most recent related 3Deeps patent applications disclose how toconstruct better 3Deeps viewing spectacles that maximize the Pulfrichstereoscopic illusion and are referred to as Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles. To construct these improved 3Deeps viewingspectacles we utilize the body of existing knowledge about (1) the humaneye retinal reaction time, and (2) the operating characteristics of theoptoelectronic material of the 3Deeps lens.

Retinal Reaction Time

While each eye is stimulated by light continuously, there is a timedelay called the retinal reaction time until the information istriggered and transmitted to the brain. Retinal reaction time isprimarily dependent on the amount of light (brightness) that falls onthe eye. For instance, in the presence of the bright light of a ‘ClearSky at noon’ the retinal reaction time is about 100 milliseconds (1/10-th of a second) and the eye will trigger about every 100milliseconds and send the image from the eye to the brain. In thepresence of light from a ‘Clear Sky’ the retinal reaction time isslower—about 200 milliseconds. And in the presence of light thatapproximates a ‘Night sky with a full moon’ the retinal reaction time isslower still—almost 400 milliseconds. The darker is the illumination,the retinal reaction time become increasingly slower.

While the retinal reaction mechanisms are independent for each eye, innormal viewing both eyes are unobstructed and the luminance value is thesame and the eyes trigger at about the same time. However, if one eye isshaded so the eyes have unequal retinal illuminance, then the two eyeswill trigger at different speeds and different times. Using lens filterswith different optical density shading causes this to happen and resultsin a difference in retinal reaction time for each eye. The difference inretinal reaction time between the two eyes is one factor in the commonlyaccepted explanation for the Pulfrich illusion.

The second factor is simultaneity. The brain will take two eye imagesand put them together in a ‘simultaneous’ fashion to generate the imagethat we perceive. Thus in normal viewing, if both eyes see the same 2Dimage without any filtered obstruction, the brain gets two identicalimages and there is no information by which the brain may infer depth.However, if one eye is differently shaded, than the eyes send twodifferent images to the brain, and the mind places them together andinterprets the two different images as depth. These two factors, retinalreaction time, and simultaneity are the two factors that explainPulfrich illusion.

If the scene being viewed is static with no moving object, then the‘instant’ image of the unshaded eye and the ‘lagging image’ of theshaded eye will still see the same image and the retinal reaction delayand simultaneity factors will not provide any depth information. Thus,the Pulfrich illusion does not work in the absence of motion. But if thescene being viewed has horizontal motion (also called lateral motion)then the shaded eye will see an image that is ‘lagging’ the instantimage. In this case the ‘lagging image’ caused by retinal reaction delayof the shaded eye, when juxtaposed with the ‘instant image’ perceived bythe unshaded eye will, through the mechanism of simultaneity, bereconciled by the brain as a perception of depth. This is the Pulfrichillusion.

Well-researched retinal reaction curves describing this phenomenon areavailable and are used by the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles to select the optical density of the lens to maximize thePulfrich illusion. This is done in the following exemplary manner. Firstwe measure the ambient light optical density and use that with theretinal reaction curve to get the retinal delay for the eye viewingthrough the ‘clear’ lens. We then use the direction of lateral motion todetermine which of the right and left lenses is clear (with the otherlens the dark lens.) If the lateral motion is from the left-to-rightdirection on the screen then the ‘clear’ lens of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles will be the left lens, and if thelateral motion is in the opposite direction then the ‘clear’ lens willbe the right lens.

To set the optical density of the dark lens we now utilize the magnitudeof the motion. As an example, if lateral motion of the major object inthe frame is measured as moving at 0.25 inches per frame then it willtake 10 frames to move 2.5 inches—the average inter-ocular distance. Inthis case the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles use theretinal reaction curve to determine an optical density setting for thedarkened lens so the motion-direction eye will see a lagging image thatis 10 frames behind that of the unshielded eye. If the TV screen has arefresh rate of 100 Hz then 10 frames is precisely 100 milliseconds, soif the ambient light is that of a ‘Clear Sky at noon’ with a retinalreaction time of 100 milliseconds, then we would set the dark lens tohave an optical density of a ‘Clear Sky’ which corresponds to a retinalreaction time of 200 milliseconds. Depending upon the ambientillumination, the optical density of the dark lens can always becalculated and precisely determined from the retinal reaction curve andthe objective function that maximizes the Pulfrich illusion.

Once the optimal optical density values are known for the lenses of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, the OperatingCharacteristic curve of the optoelectronic material of the lenses can beutilized to apply the correct potential to the lenses so the lenses ofthe viewing spectacles have the optical density so the movie is viewedwith a maximal Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

In the most recent previous patent application Retinal reaction time isused to calculate the optimal optical density value (a firstoptimization) and the operating characteristic curve is used for controlover the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles (asecond optimization). However, other problems are not address and arethe subject of this pending patent application.

Problems Addressed by this Patent Application

There is a problem that many optoelectronic materials often do notchange state instantaneously. While frame-to-frame display of a motionpicture may be 100 Hz (100 frames a second or 10 milliseconds per frame)a typical optoelectronic material made from electrochromic material mayhave a ‘slow’ response time and take several seconds to change from aclear state to a much darker state. A second problem may relate to alimited ‘cycle life’ (number of clear-dark cycles) of someoptoelectronic materials that may be limited. Both of these problems canbe addressed by using multiple layers of optoelectronic material infabricating the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles, and this patent discloses how to implement such a solution.Both problems relate to the viewing spectacle side of the solution thatimplements the already independently calculated optical density thatmaximizes the 3D Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

Now, before providing the detailed description of the invention, someadditional pertinent background is provided.

A. Variable Tint and Optoelectronic Devices

Optoelectronic devices (or materials) that control the transmission oflight through the device may be referred to as a variable tint device orvariable tint material. Neutral variable tint devices reduce thetransmission of light approximately equally along the entire spectrum ofvisible light and thus do not noticeably distort, color. Other variabletint, devices may allow transmission of light in a restricted spectrumof visible light and block light outside the restricted range, such asblue variable tint devices that allows the passage of light in the bluespectrum (λ˜490-450 nm). Devices that control properties of light otherthan the transmission of light through the medium will be referred tosimply as optoelectronic devices.

B. Methods of Producing 3-D Illusion in Moving Pictures

Motion pictures are images in 2-dimensions. However, several methodshave been developed for providing the illusion of depth in motionpictures. These include the Anaglyph, Intru3D (also called ColorCode3D), IMAX (Polaroid), shutter glasses and Pulfrich 3-dimensionalillusions.

Anaglyph 3-Dimensional Illusion

“Anaglyph” refers to the red/blue (red/cyan or red/green) glasses thatare used in comic books and in cereal packets etc. The glasses consistof nothing more than one piece of transparent blue plastic and one pieceof transparent red plastic. These glasses are easy to manufacture andhave been around since the 1920s.

An anaglyph stereo picture starts as a normal stereo pair of images, twoimages of the same scene, shot from slightly different positions. Oneimage is then made all green/blue and the other is made all red, the twoare then seen together.

When the image is viewed through the glasses the red parts are seen byone eye and the other sees the green/blue parts. The visual cortex ofthe brain fuses this into perception of a three-dimensional scene orcomposition. This effect is fairly simple to do with photography, andextremely easy to do on a PC, and it can even be hand-drawn. The mainlimitation of this technique is that because the color is used in thisway, the true color content of the image is usually lost and theresulting images are usually in black and white. As the colors competefor dominance they may appear unstable and monochromatic. A few imagescan retain a resemblance to their original color content, but thephotographer has to be very selective with color and picture content.

Intru3D—Intel

Intel's Intru3D uses the ColorCode 3D method that is an update to themore familiar Anaglyph method of 3D stereoscopy. It is similar to theAnaglyph method of stereoscopy but rather than make one image green/blueand the other image red, Intru3D records the two images as amber andblue. This provides generally truer color than typical Red/Blueanaglyphs, particularly where Red image components are concerned.

IMAX (Polaroid) 3-Dimensional Illusion

IMAX creates the illusion of 3-dimensional depth by recording the motionpictures on two separate rolls of film with two camera lenses torepresent the left and right eyes. These lenses are separated by aninterocular distance of about 2.5 in., the average distance between ahuman's eyes. By recording on two separate rolls of film for the leftand right eyes, and then projecting them simultaneously, IMAX can createa 3-Dimensional illusion for viewers.

IMAX uses either of two different methods to create the 3D illusion inthe theatre. The first method relies on polarization. During projection,the left eye image is polarized in one direction and the right eye imagepolarized perpendicular to the left eye image as they are projected onthe IMAX screen. By wearing special viewing glasses with lensespolarized in their respective directions to match the projection, theleft eye image can be viewed only by the left eye since the polarizationof the left lens will cancel out that of the right eye projection, andthe right eye image can be viewed only by the right eye since thepolarization of the right lens will cancel out that of the left eyeprojection.

IMAX also uses another method—shutter glasses—for 3D viewing. Thismethod of 3D projection involves the use of LCD shutter glasses that usesimilarly polarized lenses for both eyes. The left and right eye imagesare projected on the viewing screen in alternate frames. These LCDshutter glasses are synchronized to the projector. The projectordisplays the left and right images that are momentarily viewed by theappropriate eye by allowing that LCD lens to become transparent whilethe other remains opaque. That is when the left eye frame is projectedon the screen, the left lens of the shutter glasses becomes transparentand the right lens of the shutter glasses becomes opaque. When the nextframe is projected on the screen—a frame for the right eye—the left lensbecomes opaque and the right lens becomes transparent.

In both the IMAX 3D systems only the correct eye is allowed to view thecorrect image while the other eye is ‘blinded’. The ‘transparent’ stateis actually quite dark, and occludes about 35% of the projected light tothe viewing eye while the non-viewing eye is supposed to view no imageat all.

Shutter Glasses

Different formulations of shutter glasses have been implemented over thelast few decades, but without much large-scale commercial success. Ashutter glasses solution generally require two images for each image ofvideo, with shutter covering or uncovering each eye of the viewer. Thisallows one eye to see, than the other, with the shutters timed andsynchronized with the video so that each eye only sees the imageintended for it.

Some shutter glass systems are wired to a control device while someshutter glass systems use wireless infrared signaling to control thestate of the lenses.

CrystalEyes is the name of a stereoscopic viewing product produced bythe StereoGraphics Corporation of San Rafael, Calif. They arelightweight, wireless liquid crystal shuttering eyewear that are used toallow the user to view alternating field sequential stereo images. Thesource of the images alternately displays a left-eye view followed by aright-eye view. CrystalEyes' shutters can block either of the user'seyes so that only images appropriate for each eye are allowed to pass. Awireless infrared communications link synchronizes the shuttering of theeyewear to the images displayed on the monitor or other viewing screen.CrystalEyes shutter glasses, weight only 3.3 ounces, use two 3Vlithium/manganese dioxide batteries, and have a battery life of 250hours. This demonstrates the robustness and potential of any viewerglass solution.

Because shutter glasses only expose each eye to every other frame, therefresh rate of the video is effectively cut in half. On a TV withrefresh rates of 30 frames per second (for an NTSC TV) or 25 frames persecond (for a PAL TV), this is hard on the eyes because of the continualflicker. This problem is eliminated with higher refresh rates, such ason PC monitors.

C. Electronically Controlled Variable Tint Materials

Numerous materials have been identified that have the property that thetransmission of light through the material can be controlled by theapplication of an electronic voltage or potential across the material.These include the classes of materials typically named electrochromic,suspended particle and polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices. Withineach class of electronically controlled variable tint material there arenumerous formularies. Other classes of materials may be found in thefuture. Any material for which the transmission of light or otheroptical property of light can be controlled by an electronic potentialmay be utilized in the invention.

Electrochromic Devices (EDs)

Electrochromic devices change light transmission properties in responseto voltage and thus allow control of the amount of light passing throughthe material. A burst of electricity is required for changing the tintof the material, but once the change has been occurred, no electricityis needed for maintaining the particular shade that has been reached.Electrochromic materials provide visibility even in the darkened state,and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It hasbeen used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors.Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, forexample, for protection of objects under the glass of museum displaycases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV andvisible wavelengths of artificial light. Recent advances inelectrochromic materials pertaining to transition-metal hydrideelectrochromics have led to the development of reflective hydrides,which become reflective rather than absorbing, and thus switch statesbetween transparent and mirror-like.

Suspended Particle Devices (SPDs)

In suspended particle devices (SPDs), a thin film laminate of rod-likeparticles suspended in a fluid is placed between two glass or plasticlayers, or attached to one layer. When no voltage is applied, thesuspended particles are arranged in random orientations and tend toabsorb light, so that the glass panel looks dark (or opaque), blue or,in more recent developments, gray or black color. When voltage isapplied, the suspended particles align and let light pass. SPDs can bedimmed, and allow instant control of the amount of light and heatpassing through. A small but constant electrical current is required forkeeping the SPD in its transparent stage.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Devices (PDLCs)

In polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices (PDLCs), liquid crystals aredissolved or dispersed into a liquid polymer followed by solidificationor curing of the polymer. During the change of the polymer from a liquidto solid, the liquid crystals become incompatible with the solid polymerand form droplets throughout the solid polymer. The curing conditionsaffect the size of the droplets that in turn affect the final operatingproperties of the variable tint material. Typically, the liquid mix ofpolymer and liquid crystals is placed between two layers of glass orplastic that include a thin layer of a transparent, conductive materialfollowed by curing of the polymer, thereby forming the basic sandwichstructure of the smart window. This structure is in effect a capacitor.Electrodes from a power supply are attached to the transparentelectrodes. With no applied voltage, the liquid crystals are randomlyarranged in the droplets, resulting in scattering of light as it passesthrough the smart window assembly. This results in the translucent,“milky white” appearance. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes,the electric field formed between the two transparent electrodes on theglass cause the liquid crystals to align, thereby allowing light to passthrough the droplets with very little scattering, resulting in atransparent state. The degree of transparency can be controlled by theapplied voltage. This is possible because at lower voltages, only a fewof the liquid crystals are able to be aligned completely in the electricfield, so only a small portion of the light passes through while most ofthe light is scattered. As the voltage is increased, fewer liquidcrystals remain out of alignment thus resulting in less light beingscattered. It is also possible to control the amount of light and heatpassing through when tints and special inner layers are used. Most ofthe devices offered today operate in on or off states only, even thoughthe technology to provide for variable levels of transparency is easilyapplied. This technology has been used in interior and exterior settingsfor privacy control (for example conference rooms, intensive-care areas,bathroom/shower doors) and as a temporary projection screen. A newgeneration of switchable film and glass called 3G Switchable Film isavailable from Scienstry, using a non-linear technology to increasetransparency, lower the required driving voltage and extend thelifetime.

A First Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 1 is a perspective view 100 of the preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. It is comprised of aframe 101 that is used as the housing for the lenses and controlcircuitry. Such frames are a well-known means by which lenses can befixed before a person's eyes for viewing. On the frame 101 is batterydevice 104 to power all circuitry of the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles. Also, on the frame 101 is a receiver 102 labeled ‘Rx’that is powered by the battery 104. The receiver 102 has apparatus toreceive radio-frequency (RF) 110 waves with synchronization and controlinformation used to control the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Such receivers are well known in the art of electronics.Also on the frame 101 is a control unit 103 powered by the battery 104that transforms the continuing optical density signals into theelectronic potentials used to control the optical density of eachindividual lens. Also on the frame 101 is an on/off switch 112 thatcontrols whether the electronic circuits of the 3Deeps spectacles 101receive power (on position) from the battery or not (power off). Otherembodiments may replace RF communications with other communicationsmeans, including but not limited to infrared, or audio sound.

Two lenses are fixed in the frames—a right lens (from the movie viewer'svantage point) 105 and a left lens 106. In the preferred embodiment,each lens is made of an electrochromic material for which the opticaldensity can be reliably and precisely controlled by the application ofan electronic potential across the material. The lens has circuitry sothat the control unit 103 can independently control the transmissivityof each lens. Other embodiment may use optoelectronic materials otherthan electrochromics. A second preferred embodiment of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multi-layered lenses isdisclosed starting in FIG. 5. A third preferred embodiment of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps spectacles using single-layered lenses for a multi-useapplication is disclosed starting in FIG. 11. A fourth preferredembodiment of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles usingmulti-layered lenses for a multi-use application is disclosed startingin FIG. 14.

For exemplary purposes, FIG. 1 shows the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles in just one of the three states that the lenses cantake. FIG. 1 shows the right lens 105 darkened and the left lens 106 asclear with the clear lens allowing more light transmission than thedarkened lens. This is the configuration to view a motion picture with a3-dimensional effect in which the lateral motion in the motion pictureis moving from left-to-right on the viewing screen. Other embodiments ofthe invention may have Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesthat fit over regular prescription glasses in a manner similar to thatin which snap-on or clip-on sunglasses are configured. In still anotherembodiment the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles may also be ‘prescription lenses’ customized for the viewervision impairments.

Also, while the preferred embodiment of the invention uses ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that are wireless, other embodimentsmay use wired connections. What is required is that the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can receive and respond tosynchronization signals from the controller, and whether that is bywired or wireless means is immaterial to the invention.

Earlier versions of 3Deeps Filter Spectacles (also called PulfrichFilter Spectacles) have been previously described in co-pending patentapplications and patents U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/274,752,11/928,152, 11/372,723, 11/372,702, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,030,902 and7,218,339.

There are 3 lens settings used by the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles. One setting is that both the right 105 and left lens106 are clear. Neither lens is darkened. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when there is no significant lateralmotion in the motion picture. The second setting is the left lens 106clear and the right lens 105 darkened. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when foreground lateral motion in themotion picture is moving from the left to the right direction, as seenfrom the viewer's perspective. The third setting is the left lens 106darkened and the right lens 105 clear. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when the foreground lateral motion inthe motion picture is moving from the right to the left direction, asseen from the viewer's perspective.

The lens state consisting of both left and the right lens darkened isnot used by any of the 3Deeps spectacles. However, this lens state canbe achieved by the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, andmay have uses in other embodiments of the invention. In the thirdpreferred embodiment of the invention, this lens state is used toprovide an alternate use for 3Deeps viewing spectacle—sunglasses. Inthat embodiment, ‘multi-use’ 3Deeps spectacles are switch selectable aseither (Use 1) 3Deeps viewing spectacles using the 3 lens settingsdescribed in the preceding paragraph for 3Deeps viewing, or (Use 2)sunglasses using the left and right lens darkening to a pre-set opticaldensity.

In Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, the right and leftlenses of the viewing glasses may independently take a multiplicity ofdifferent levels of darkness to achieve different effects, resulting inmany different lens states. In particular, the darkening of thenon-clear lens can be optimized according to the speed of lateral motionand/or luminance, so as to optimize the degree of 3-dimensional effect(a first optimization). Also, the Control Unit 103 can control theelectrochromic lenses so that they reach their target state in anoptimal manner (a second optimization).

Various consumer-based control units may be utilized with the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that can both display theaudio/video of the associated motion picture, as well as perform theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles synchronization toidentify 3Deeps synchronization events and issue control signals to theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. This includes, but isnot limited to; DVD-based control units; Digital Movie Projector controlunits; Television-based control units; hand-held and operated controlunits; spectacle-based control units; software-based processing thatparses compressed digital video file and uses its motion estimationinformation (e.g. MPEG); and, cell-phone based control units.

FIG. 2 a 200 shows a left lens 106 of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles fabricated from a single layer of electrochromicmaterial. Its fabrication using electrochromic material is shown inadjoining FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 2 b 225 shows the cross-sectional detail of the electrochromicdevice of FIG. 2 a used for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right and left lenses of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The Figure shows a typicaldual-polymer electrochromic device consisting of seven layers ofmaterial. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the right lens105 and left lens 106 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 100 are fabricated from such material. The first layer 201 ofthe electrochromic material 225 is a glass, plastic (or other clearinsulating material.) The second layer 202 is a conducting layer,followed by a third layer 203 of polymer. The fourth layer 204 is anelectrolytic layer that depending upon the electrochromic material maybe a liquid or gel. This layer provides the ion transport whosedirection is determined by the application of potential across theconducting layers. The fifth layer 205 is the complementary polymerlayer, followed by a sixth layer 206 of conducting material. The lastlayer 207 of the electrochromic is another insulting layer of glass,plastic or other clear insulating material.

While FIG. 2 b 225 show a typical dual-polymer electrochromic device, aspreviously indicated, there are numerous such electrochromic devices,and any electrochromic may be favorably utilized in the invention. Someelectrochromic devices may not have seven layers as shown in FIG. 2 b.For instance, some variable tint materials may be in the form of aflexible film or laminate that can be applied to a single layer of clearglass or plastic.

Also, any electronically controlled variable tint material may be usedin the invention rather than the displayed electrochromic device. Anymaterial whose optical property of transmissivity of light may becontrolled by the application of an electric potential may be favorablyuse to fabricate the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 1. All circuits on theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 101 are powered 301 bythe Power Unit 104 (if the power on/off switch 112 is in the ‘on’position), including the Control Unit 103, Signal Receiving Unit 102,the Left Lens 106, and the Right Lens 105. The control information 110is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102 and sent 302 to the ControlUnit 103. The control unit 103 implements an algorithm that is specificfor the lens materials used in the fabrication of the Right Lens 105 andthe Left lens 106 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles,and controls the Left Lens 106 over a control circuit 303, and the RightLens over a control circuit 305.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 showing the operation of the Control Unit 103of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of the firstpreferred embodiment. The input to the Control Unit 103 is thesynchronization signal 302. The output is the control signal sent to theleft lens 106 over the control left lens control circuit 303, and thecontrol signal sent to the right lens 105 over the right lens controlcircuit 305. The synchronization signals 302 are received and stored bythe ‘Read and Store 3Deeps Signal’ block 401 of the Control Unit 103 andstored in a LIFO (Last In First Out) memory stack 403. Control thenpasses to ‘Store and Manage Signal’ processing 405 that ‘pops’ the topof the stack (read the value and eliminates it from storage) andprocesses the synchronization signal by storing it in a ‘3Deeps Signal’memory storage 407. Processing control then passes to ‘Parse and StoreLeft and Right OD’ in which the 3Deeps signal memory storage 407 isparsed and stored in the ‘Left OD’ value 411, and the ‘Right OD’ value413. Processing then continues with the ‘Right Lens Control’ 417 inwhich the right lens value 413 is converted to an electronic signal 305that controls the optical density of the right lens. Processing thencontinues with the ‘Left Lens Control’ 415 in which the left lens value411 is converted to an electronic signal 303 that controls the opticaldensity of the left lens. Processing in the Control Unit 103 then ispassed back to the ‘Read and Store 3Deeps Signal’

It should be understood that different control circuits might beutilized by other embodiments. For instance other embodiments may haveno need for LIFO signal store and management since control of the 3Deepsspectacles is in real-time and there is no need to switch the lenses topast setting. Also, better emphasize the logical operation of thecontrol unit some functions have not been shown. For instance, thecontrol unit may ‘cycle’ at a much faster rate then the receivedsynchronization signals resulting in an ‘empty’ stack. The handling ofsuch an empty stack state is not shown in the flow diagram but would behandled as well-known in the art by detecting that the stack is emptyand passing control in the Control Unit 103 back to the ‘Read and Store3Deeps Signal’ state 401 rather than passing control as shown in theflow diagram 400.

Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles have great advantages.The control information 110 is spectacle-agnostic; i.e. all spectaclesreceive the same transmitted control information. The control unit 103on the spectacles performs a final view-spectacle-specific optimization,translating the control information into control signals specific to thelens material used to fabricate the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Two viewers sitting side-by-side and watching the same videoon a digital TV but wearing Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles that have lens material with totally differentcharacteristics, will each see the movie with an illusion of 3Doptimized for their spectacles.

A Second Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 5 is a perspective view 500 of the second preferred embodiment ofthe Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 withmulti-layered lenses. The difference between FIG. 5 (multi-layered lens)and FIG. 1 (single layer lens) is in their respective right lens (505 ofFIG. 5), left lens (506 of FIG. 5), and control unit (503 of FIG. 5).Like numbered items in FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 have the same function anddefinition. The lenses for the second preferred embodiment (505 and 506)are described in greater detail in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, and the controlunit for the second preferred embodiment is described in greater detailin FIG. 8.

FIG. 6 a 600 shows a left lens 506 of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromicmaterial. Its fabrication using electrochromic material is shown inadjoining FIG. 6 b. Since only a single layer of insulating glassmaterial will be required between the different layers of themulti-layered electrochromic lens, the drawing of the top layer isslightly different than that of FIG. 2 a to emphasize that only onelayer of such insulating material is necessary. FIG. 6 a therefore showsthe lens 106 as two layers where the first active layer 611 is separatedby the second active layer 601 by an insulating layer 610. The firstactive layer 611 and the insulating layer 610 comprise the single layerlens 106 of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 6 b 625 shows the cross-sectional details of the multiple layeredelectrochromic device of FIG. 6 a that is used for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the right and leftlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The 7layers of the electrochromic left lens 106 of FIG. 2 b are shown in FIG.6 b as the 6 active layers 611, and the (seventh) insulating layer 201.Each layer is identical to their like numbered description accompanyingFIG. 2 b. A second active layer 601 is included in the multi-layeredelectrochromic lens. In the second preferred embodiment of theinvention, the second layer 601 of the lens is fabricated from identicalelectrochromic material as used to fabricate the first layer 611 of theleft lens 506 so that each layer has the same Operating Characteristiccurve 900 as shown in FIG. 9. The six layers of electrochromic materialfor the second layer are identical to their like numbered descriptionaccompanying FIG. 2 b. Other embodiments may use electrochromic materialwith different material so that the two layers have different OperatingCharacteristic curves. Also, other embodiments may have more than 2layers.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram 700 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 5 using a multiple layeredelectrochromic device for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right 505 and left lenses 506. Allcircuits on the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 arepowered 301 by the battery 104, including the Control Unit 503, SignalReceiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 506, and the Right Lens 505. Thecontrol information 110 is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102 andsent 302 to the Control Unit 503. The control unit 503 implements analgorithm that is specific for the multi-layered lens materials used inthe fabrication of the Right Lens 505 and the Left lens 506 of themulti-layered Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, andcontrols the Left Lens 506 with a control circuit 703, and the RightLens 505 with a control circuit 704.

The difference between FIG. 7 (multi-layered lens) and FIG. 3 (singlelayer lens) is in their respective right and left lenses, control units,and control circuits. For the right lens 505 and left lens 506, thelenses are fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromic material.In the second preferred embodiment of the invention these are the sameas the lens fabrication shown in FIG. 6. The control unit for themulti-layered lens 503 must control multiple layers while the controlunit for the single-layered lens 103 only need control a single layerelectrochromic lens. In this second preferred embodiment of theinvention, both layers of the multi-layered electrochromic lens are madeof the same material with the same Operating Characteristic curve andboth lenses have applied to them identical voltage across each layer.However, since there are multi-layers of material, it will be shownusing the Operating Characteristic curve of FIGS. 9 and 10, that toachieve a target optical density for each lens, the control unit 503will only need apply voltage to the multi-layers for less time than forthe single layer. For the control circuits, the multi-lens controlcircuits need to apply voltage across multiple layered assemblies, notjust a single lens assembly.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart 800 showing the operation of the Control Unit 503of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 using amultiple layered electrochromic device for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the right lens 505and left lens 506. This flow chart 800 is very similar to the flow chartof the control unit for the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles using a single layered electrochromic device of FIG. 4. Thememory storage ‘LIFO Signal Stack’ 403, ‘3Deeps Signal’ 407, ‘Left OD’411, and ‘Right OD’ 413 are the same as previously described for FIG. 4.The processing modules ‘Read & Store 3Deeps Signal’ 401, ‘Store andManage 3Deeps Signal’ 405, and ‘Parse and Store Left and Right OD’ 409are the same as previously described for FIG. 4. The difference betweenFIG. 4 and FIG. 8 is in the ‘Left Lens Multilayer’ circuitry 815 and theleft lens 506 that the circuit controls, and in the ‘Right LensMultilayer Control’ circuitry 817 and the right lens 505 that thecircuit controls. In this multi-layer embodiment of the invention, the‘Left Lens Multilayer’ circuitry 815 must control two layers of theelectrochromic left lens 506, and the ‘Right Lens Multilayer’ circuitry817 must control two layers of the electrochromic right lens 505. Itwill be shown later in FIGS. 9 and 10 that the target optical densitiesfor the left lens 411 and the right lens 409 can be achieved morerapidly.

This approach has the same advantages as for single-layer ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The control information 110 isspectacle-agnostic; i.e. all spectacles receive the same transmittedcontrol information. The control unit 503 on the spectacles performs afinal view-spectacle-specific optimization, translating the controlinformation into control signals specific to the multi-layered lensmaterial used to fabricate the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Two viewers sitting side-by-side and watching the same videoon a digital TV but wearing Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles that have lens material with totally differentcharacteristics, will each see the movie with an illusion of 3Doptimized for their spectacles. It also has the additional advantagethat since a multi-layer lens is used, the transition time betweenoptical density states will be faster than the corresponding transitiontime for a single-layer lens.

The second preferred embodiment of the Optical Density ContinuingAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles use electrochromic lenses.Additional detail about Electrochromism is now provided.

Electrochromism is the phenomenon displayed by some chemicals ofreversibly changing color when an electric potential is applied.Electrochromism has a history dating back to the nineteenth century andthere are thousands of chemical systems that have already beenidentified electrochromic. A narrow definition limits electrochromicdevices to chemical processes for which there is a ‘redox’ reaction thatundergo an electron uptake ‘reduction’ or electron release whenpotential is applied and the reverse or ‘oxidation’ with a reversepotential. Most ‘redox’ processes are electrochromic and are candidateelectrochromes and potential 3Deeps lenses. While the preferredembodiments of this invention use such narrowly defined electrochromicdevices, any device for which the transmission of light may becontrolled by an electronic potential may be utilized in the invention.For instance, Liquid Crystal Device (LCD) lenses may be used in theinvention since they may be controlled by an electronic potential, eventhough they use a totally different mechanism to control the opticalproperties of the material. LCDs rely on an interference effect (blockthe transmission of light), while the narrow definition ofelectrochromic device is limited to materials that rely on a ‘redox’reaction to change the color of the material. Either ‘redox’ or LCDmaterial, or any material for which the transmission of light may becontrolled by an electronic potential can be advantageously utilized inthe invention.

There are many different families of chemicals that exhibit suchproperties—both organic and inorganic. These include but are not limitedto polyaniline, viologens, polyoxotungstates's and tungsten oxide.Oxides of many transition metals are electrochromic including cerium,chromium, cobalt, copper, iridium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel,niobium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten,and vanadium. Within each family, different ‘mixtures’ of chemicalsproduce different properties that affect the color, transmissivity, andtransition time. Some electrochromics may only affect ultravioletlight—not visible light—appearing clear to an observer since they do notaffect visible light. Electrochromics have been the object of intensestudy for over 40 years, and have found their chief commercial successfor use in ‘smart windows’ where they can reliably control the amount oflight and heat allowed to pass through windows, and has also been usedin the automobile industry to automatically tint rear-view mirrors invarious lighting conditions.

Other embodiments of the inventions may advantageously usemultiple-color electrochromic devices or materials that exhibitelectropolychromism. Some electrochromic devices may take a whole seriesof different colors, each colored state generated at a characteristicapplied potential. One example is methyl vioiogen, which has electronpotential states that are correspondingly colorless, blue, andred-brown. Electrochromic viologens have been synthesized with as manyas six different colors.

The operating characteristics of each formulation of any of thethousands of different electrochromic material will be different. Someof the operating characteristics that should be considered whenselecting materials for 3Deeps lenses include; Response time (the timerequired to change from its clear to darkened state or vice versa);Power consumption; Memory effect (when power is off between write cyclesthere is no ‘redox’ process and the electrochromic material retains itsoptical properties); Coloration efficiency (the amount of electrochromicdarkening formed by the charge); Cycle life (The number of write-erasecycles that can be performed before any noticeable degradation hasoccurred); and, write-erase efficiency (the fraction of the originallyformed darkening that can be subsequently electro-cleared. For 3Deepsviewing spectacles this should be 100%).

The operating characteristics of each formulation of any of the 1000s ofdifferent electrochromic material will be different. FIG. 9 shows atypical Operating Characteristic curve relating transmissivity (%transmission of light) to transmission time when a potential of 2 voltsis applied across the electrochromic device. Some electrochromicmaterials may take several seconds to change state from one opticaldensity to another—others may be near instantaneous. For manyelectrochromic materials the color change is persistent and electricpotential need only be applied to effect a change. For such ‘persistent’optoelectronic materials, only an electronic on-off pulse is needed,while non-persistent materials require the application of a continuingelectronic potential. Other materials may attain state under thepresence of electric potential, but then slowly ‘leak’ and change back.These materials may require a maintenance potential to maintain statebut one that is different from that to attain the optical density state.

The second preferred embodiment of the Continuing Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles is fabricated from a persistent electrochromicmaterial (material that has a so-called memory effect) that takes up to1.85 seconds to change state from its lightest to darkest opticaldensity, and up to 1.85 seconds to change state from its lightest todarkest optical density. In moving between states the preferredembodiment will always seek to optimize transition time.

While electrochromic material is used in the second preferred embodimentof the optical density Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles,any optoelectronic materials that change optical density in response toan applied potential may be used. This includes but is not limited toPDLCs (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal devices) or SPDs (SuspendedParticle Devices.) In the future, new optoelectronic materials will bediscovered and may be advantageously used in the practice of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 is a transition time curve 900 for a single layer ofelectrochromic material with transition time as a function oftransmissivity when a potential of 2.0V is applied to the electrochromicmaterial. It is for a ‘slow’ electrochromic material with transitiontime 902 as a function of transmissivity 901 (or percent transmission oflight). This transition time curve 900 has a ‘lightest’ state 906 with atransmissivity of 100% density (clear) and its darkest state 905 is 0%in which ail light is blocked from passing through the electrochromicmaterial. The electrochromic material cannot however attain either ofthe extreme values (0% or 100%) of transmissivity. The OperatingCharacteristic curve 903 shows a material that can attain about 99%transmissivity 904 (almost clear) and 10% transmissivity 915 (almostdark). The material can then take any optical density in between theblocking only 1% of the light (99%) transmissivity) and blocking 90% oflight (10% transmissivity) by the application of 2V for the properlength of time. If the material is in its clearest state 904, and, and a2V potential is applied to the material, it will take about 1.8 secondsto change state and achieve its darkest state 915 or 10% transmissivity.This is shown on the transition time curve 903 of the OperatingCharacteristic of the material in FIG. 9.

As another example, if the material is in its clearest state 904, andthe control signal 110 received on the frames receiving unit 102indicates that the subject lens should change to an optical densityassociated with transmissivity of 70% 923, then the transition timecurve 903 would be implemented by the control unit 103 to apply 2Vpotential to the lens for 1.35 seconds. A value of 70% 923transmissivity intercepts the Operating Characteristic curve 903 at apoint on the curve 921 that corresponds to a transition time 922 of 1.35seconds. Once a potential of 2V has been applied for 1.35 seconds, nopotential need further be applied since the electrochromic lens will‘latch’ in the new state.

This is an example of how an algorithm implemented in the Control Unit103 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with a singlelayer of lens material (FIG. 1-4) would use the transition time curve903 to control the right lens 105 and the left lens 106. To transition alens from and optical density associated with a clear state 904 to theoptical density associated with a transmissivity of 70% the Control Unit103 would apply 2V potential to the lens for 1.35 seconds.

This is a simplified example for illustrative and teaching purposes.Other electrochromic materials may have other operating characteristicsthat have characteristic exponential, negative exponential, or logistic(s-shaped) relationships. In this example, 2V potential is used to movebetween states. It is used under the assumptions that (a) for thiselectrochromic formulation the higher the electronic potential the morerapid will be the change from a lighter to a darker optical density, and(b) change of state from a lighter to a darker optical density is to beoptimized. Other materials may require different potentials to beapplied to move from between states. In any of these cases, theprinciple of operation is identical and the Control Unit 103 on theframes of the lenses uses the operating characteristics of the materialused in the right 105 and left 106 lenses to determine the potential andthe length of time the potential is to be applied to transition betweenlens control states.

FIG. 10 is a transition time curve 1000 for a double layer (multi-layer)of electrochromic material with transition time as a function oftransmissivity. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the addition of asecond Operating Characteristic curve 1003. The numbered elements ofFIG. 10 have the same description as their like numbered elements ofFIG. 9. The Operating Characteristic curve for the double layer 1003(multi-layer) lenses of the preferred embodiment are shown along withthe Operating Characteristic curve of the single layer 903 to betteremphasize the transition time Benefit and Loss of using the double layerof electrochromic material. The example shows that doubling the lensmaterial results in a 44% decrease in Transmission Time (Benefit) whenmoving from a clear to a 70% transmissivity state for only a 1% loss inthe Clear State (Loss).

As an example, if the multi-layer material is in its clearest state1015, and the control signal 110 received on the frames receiving unit102 indicates that the subject lens should change to an optical densityassociated with transmissivity of 70% 923, then the transition timecurve 1003 would be implemented by the control unit 503 to apply 2Vpotential to the lens for 0.75 seconds. A value of 70% 923transmissivity intercepts the Operating Characteristic curve 1003 at apoint on the curve 1011 that corresponds to a transition time 1012 of0.75 seconds. Once a potential of 2V has been applied for 0.75 seconds,no potential need further be applied since the electrochromic lens will‘latch’ in the new state.

In summary, for a single layer lens then, to move from a clear state toa 70% transmissivity state 2V potential is applied for 1.35 seconds to asingle layer material. For the double layer lens of the preferredembodiment to move from a clear state to a 70% transmissivity state 2Vpotential is applied for 0.75 seconds. Using two layers ofelectrochromic material results in a beneficial 44% decrease intransmission time for only a 1% loss in the clear state.

A Third Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

It has previously been observed in this disclosure that—“The lens stateconsisting of both left and the right lens darkened is not used by anyof the 3Deeps spectacles.” The third preferred embodiment of theinvention uses this lens state that is not used by any of various 3Deepsspectacles previously described, and extends the first preferredembodiment (single layer Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles)so they may also be switch selectable to function as sunglasses.

In particular, a switch 1101 is added to the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles described in FIG. 1. In a first switch positionthe spectacles operate precisely as described in the first preferredembodiment. In a second switch position the spectacles operate assunglasses. Toggling the switch changes the spectacles to operate withthe switched characteristics. The lenses of the third preferredembodiment are single-layer, and are precisely the same as described inFIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b. The control unit 103 of the first preferredembodiment is modified and presented as a new Control Unit 1103. Thiscontrol unit takes as an additional input the position of the selectionSwitch 1101. If the Switch is positioned so the spectacles operate asContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles then the Control Unitcontrols the lenses of the spectacles in precisely the same fashion asprevious described in FIG. 4. If the Switch is positioned so that thespectacles operate as sunglasses, then the Control Unit controls thelenses so that they both take the same pre-specified dark opticaldensity and operate as ordinary sunglasses.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view 1100 of the third preferred embodiment ofthe Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150 withsingle-layered lenses. The difference between the single-layered lensesof FIG. 1 and FIG. 11 is that in the third preferred embodiment aselection Switch 1101 has been added to the spectacles, and the controlunit 1103 has been expanded to include control of the sunglasses. Alllike numbered items in FIG. 11 and FIG. 1 have the same function anddefinition. The selection switch 1101 may take either of two positions.In the first position, the spectacles will operate as ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles precisely as described in the firstpreferred embodiment. In the second position, the spectacles willoperate as sunglasses.

The third preferred embodiment uses lenses identical to the lenses usedin the first preferred embodiment and described in FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2b.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150 of FIG. 11 using a singlelayered electrochromic device for fabricating the electronicallycontrolled variable tint material of the right 105 and left lenses 106.All circuits on the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150are powered 301 by the battery 104, including the Control Unit 1103,Signal Receiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 106, and the Right Lens 105.The control information 110 is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102and sent 302 to the Control Unit 1103. The switch 1101 position is alsopowered 301 by the battery 104, and its position is output to theControl Unit 1103. The Control Unit 1103 implements an algorithm that isspecific for the multi-use (Use 1: 3Deeps spectacles or Use 2:sunglasses) single-layered Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles, and controls the Left Lens 106 with a control circuit 1203,and the Right Lens 105 with a control circuit 1205.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart 1300 showing the operation of the Control Unit1103 of the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles1150 with single-layered lenses. The switch position 1202 is input tothe Control Unit 1103 and processing commences with ‘Switch 1 or Switch2?’ 1370 that can parse the switch position and determine which positionthe Switch 1101 is in. If the Switch position is in the first positionthen the control processing 103 is used. This is the same as the controlprocessing for the First Preferred Embodiment and is described in FIG.4. Only the input and output to the control processing 103 is shown inFIG. 13—not the details of the processing that is the same as shown inFIG. 4. If the Switch position is in the second position then thecontrol processing 1240 for sunglasses is used. Pre-selected Opticaldensities for the left lens 106 and right lens 105 are stored in thecontroller as the ‘LeftOD’ 1311 and the ‘Right OD’ 1313. First the‘Right OD’ 1313 is read by the ‘Right Lens Control’ processing 1317 andan electronic signal is issued on circuit 1205 to change the Right Lens105 to that associated Optical Density. Processing then passes to the‘Left Lens Control’ 1315 that reads the pre-stored value ‘Left OD’ 1311and an electronic signal is issued on circuit 1203 to change the LeftLen 106 to that associated value.

This exemplary Control Unit 1103 has been purposely simplified forclarity and to show the principles of the control operation. It showstwo separate control circuits—the first 103 for control of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, and the second 1240 for control ofsunglasses. The Control Unit 1103 has two separate memory storages forthe Left and Right optical densities. It should be understood that goodengineering design would reuse as much circuitry as possible for twocontrolling functions of the Control Unit 1103. So for instance, anotherimplementation of the Control Unit 1103 may only have a single memorystorage for the Left and Right optical densities that are used by boththe circuitry controlling the 3Deeps Filter Spectacles and the circuitrycontrolling the sunglasses.

A Fourth Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the second preferred embodiment of the invention the right and leftlenses of the 3Deeps spectacles are fabricated from multiple layers ofthe same electrochromic material. In a fourth preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the lenses are fabricated from two layers withelectrochromic devices that have different optical characteristics. Inthis fourth preferred embodiment of the invention the first layer ofelectrochromic uses the same material to fabricate the lenses as haspreviously been described—a neutral density filters that block thetransmission of light approximately equally along the entire visiblespectrum. The second layer uses electrochromic material that can beelectronically controlled so the left lens is clear or can be set toallow transmission of light in the visible red spectrum and the rightlens is clear or can be set to allow the transmission of light in thevisible blue spectrum. The two layers of material are switch selectableso that either of the layers may be activated, but not both layers atthe same time. These Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles thus are switch selectable so theycan be used to watch 2D (single image viewed by right and left eyes)movies in 3D using the 3Deeps methodology or alternatively to watchspecially made 3D movies (separate left and right images) formatted foranaglyph 3D viewing.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view 1400 of the fourth preferred embodiment ofthe Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450. Like numbered items in FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 havethe same function and definition. The primary difference between thisembodiment and previous embodiments is in the use of differentelectrochromic devices for the layers of the lenses (described furtherin FIG. 15 a and FIG. 15 b), and in the Control Unit 1403 that controlsthe operation of the spectacles based on the position of the Switch1101. The toggle switch 1101 allows either the first layer 411 of themulti-use 3Deeps spectacles 1450 to be activated (3Deeps method ofviewing 3D) or it allows the second layer 1501 of the multi-use 3Deepsspectacles to be activated (anaglyph 3D viewing.) In this fourthpreferred embodiment of the invention, only one layer may be activatedat a time. Other embodiments may allow more than one layer of materialto be active at one time. The control unit 1403 has all thefunctionality of control unit 103 when the first layer is active. Whenthe first layer is active both lenses of the second layer are set totheir clear state. When the second layer of is activated the controlunit 1403 will ran a control program specific to the control of anaglyph3D viewing. In particular when the second layer is activated foranaglyph viewing, both lenses of the first layer of material are set totheir clear state, and the left lens 1406 of the second layer is set toa red and the right lens 1405 of the second layer is set to blue. Thisstate is maintained throughout the viewing of the anaglyph 3D movie andno additional switch of state is required of the control program as isthe case with 3Deeps viewing. In this way the left lens is red and theright lens is blue as required for anaglyph 3D movies.

FIG. 15 a 1500 shows a left lens 1006 of Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricatedfrom multiple layers of electrochromic material. Its fabrication usingelectrochromic material is shown in adjoining FIG. 15 b. Since only asingle layer of insulating glass material will be required between thedifferent layers of the multi-layered electrochromic lens, the drawingof the top layer is slightly different than that of FIG. 2 a toemphasize that only one layer of such insulating material is necessary.FIG. 15 a therefore shows the lens 1006 as two layers where the firstactive layer 411 is separated by the second active layer 1501 by aninsulating layer 410. The first active layer 411 and the insulatinglayer 410 comprise the single layer lens 106 of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 15 b 1525 shows the cross-sectional details of the Multi-useelectrochromic device of FIG. 15 a for fabricating the electronicallycontrolled variable tint material of the right and left lenses of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multiple layers ofelectrochromic material. The 7 layers of the electrochromic left lens106 of FIG. 2 a are shown in FIG. 15 b as the 6 active layers 411, andthe (seventh) insulating layer 201. Each layer is identical to theirlike numbered description accompanying FIG. 2 b. A second active layer1501 is included in the multi-layered electrochromic lens. In thisfourth preferred embodiment of the invention, the second layer 1501 ofthe lens is fabricated from electrochromic material that is totallydifferent from the neutral density electrochromic material of the firstlayer. This second layer of electrochromic material will have its ownOperating Characteristic curve and electronically control properties oflight differently from that of the first layer.

In particular, FIG. 15 b shows the left lens 1406 of the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacleswith a second layer of electrochromic material. The second layer isfabricated from electrochromic material that can be electronicallycontrolled to allow the transmission of light in the clear or visiblered spectrum. (A right lens that is not shown would be fabricated fromelectrochromic material that can be electronically controlled to allowthe transmission of light in the clear or visible blue spectrum.) Thesecond multi-layer of electrochromics of the multi-use lens is made from6 layers of material. The top layer 1501 is made from an insulting layerof glass, plastic or other clear insulating material. This is followedby layer 1502 of a conducting layer, followed by a third layer 1603 ofpolymer. A fourth layer 1504 provides the ion transport whose directionis determined by the application of potential across the conductinglayers. The fifth layer 1505 is the complementary polymer layer, and isthen followed by another conducting layer 1506. The polymer layers 1503and complimentary polymer layer 1505 provide the electronicallycontrollable tinting of the lens as either clear or red. The rightlens—not shown—would have polymer and complimentary polymer layers toprovide electronically controllable tinting for the right lens as eitherclear or blue.

TABLE 1 shows the different types of Optoelectronic materials that maybe used in the fabrication of Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The first column of theTABLE 1 is a numbering of the methods—but no preference is to attributedto the ordering. The ‘Method Number’ is used for reference in thedisclosure. The second column of TABLE 1 labeled ‘Viewing Method’ and isthe type of viewing that may be attained through the use of theassociated optoelectronic device that is described in the third columnof TABLE 1. The third column of TABLE 1 labeled ‘OptoElectronic Device’is a brief description of the controllable optical characteristicnecessary to achieve the associated viewing method.

TABLE 1 Method No. Viewing Method OptoElectronic Device 1 3Deeps moviesSingle or multi-layers variable tint device (2D images viewed as 3D) 2Anaglyph 3D movies Right Lens Blue; Left Len Red device 3 Intru3D 3Dmovies Right Lens Blue; Left Lens Amber device 4 Optimum emissive colorsof TV Optimized to emissive colors of TV phosphors (for Methods 1, 2, 3)5 Polarized Lenses 3D movies Right and left lenses at 90% polarizationdevice 6 Vision correction Near- or far-sightedness correction device 7Shutter glasses Rapid shuttering between clear and totally dark device 8Sunglasses Single layer variable tint device 9 Optical property of lightElectro Optical control of a property (or properties) of light

With respect to the Method No. 1 of the table, the use of anelectrochromic optoelectronic device for viewing 3Deeps movies with asingle-layer of variable tint lenses has been previously described inthe first preferred embodiment of the invention, and the use of anelectrochromic optoelectronic device for viewing 3Deeps movies withmulti-layers of variable tint lenses has been previously described inthe second preferred embodiment of the invention. With respect to MethodNo. 2 of the table, the use of an electrochromic optoelectronic devicefor viewing anaglyph 3D movies (left lens red and right lens blue) withMulti-Use Electrically Controlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles has been previously described in the third preferredembodiment of the invention.

The Multi-Use Electrically Controlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles described may also replace the layers ofmaterials described or add additional layers of materials (withcorresponding changes to the manual switches of the spectacles and thecontrol program) to achieve other methods of electronically assistedviewing spectacles. Such methods may include; Intru3D 3D movies (MethodNo. 3) with left lens amber and right lens blue; optoelectronic devices(Method No. 4) that are tuned to the optimum emissive colors of a TVphosphor; optoelectronic devices (Method No. 5) that allow viewing of 3Dmovies using polarized lenses in which the right and left lenses havepolarizations that are perpendicular to each other; optoelectronicdevices that provide prescription glasses that correct vision such asnear- or far-sightedness (Method No. 6); optoelectronic devices thatallow viewing of 3D movies by the shutter glass method (Method No. 7) inwhich there is rapid shuttering between a clear and totally dark statefor one eye, while the other eye has corresponding states of totallydark and clear in synchronization with right and left images of thedisplayed motion picture. The spectacles have a layer (Method No. 8)that when activated provides sunglasses. Any other optical property oflight that can be beneficially controlled by an optoelectronic device(Method No. 9) can be used as a layer of the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Insome embodiments of the invention several methods may be operable at thesame time as when Vision correction optoelectronics (Method No. 6) isactive at the same time as any of the methods for viewing 3D movies.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram 1600 of the operation of the multi-useContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 with multi-layeredlenses. All circuits on the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450 are powered 301 by the battery 104, including theControl Unit 1403, Signal Receiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 1406, andthe Right Lens 1405. The control information 110 is received by theSignal Receiving Unit 102 and sent 302 to the Control Unit 1403. Theswitch 1101 position is also powered 301 by the battery 104, and itsposition is output 1202 to the Control Unit 1403. The Control Unit 1403implements an algorithm that is specific for the multi-use (Use 1:3Deeps spectacles or Use 2: Anaglyph 3D viewing) multi-layeredContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, and controls the LeftLens 1406 with a control circuit 1603, and the Right Lens 1405 with acontrol circuit 1605.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart 1700 showing the operation of the Control Unit1403 of the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 with multi-layered electrochromic lenses.The swatch position 1202 is input to the Control Unit 1403. Processingcommences with ‘Change both right and left lens of layer 1 and 2 toclear’ 1761 by switching both the right lens 1505 and left lens 1506 ofthe first electrochromic layer 411 and the second electrochromic layer1501 to clear. Processing is then transferred to a control circuit‘Switch 1 Or Switch 2?’ 1763 that can parse the switch position anddetermine which position the Switch 1101 is in. If the Switch positionis in the first position (3Deeps viewing) then a first controlprocessing unit 103 is used to control the first layer 411 of the lensesof the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450. If the Switch position is in the second position(anaglyph viewing) then a second control processing unit 103 a that issimilar to the control processing unit 103 shown in FIG. 4) is used tocontrol the second layer 1501 of the lenses of the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles1450.

The two control processing units 103 and 103 a of the Control Unit 1403are the same as the control processing unit for the First PreferredEmbodiment and is described in FIG. 4. The first control processing unitcontrols the spectacles for 3Deeps viewing and the second controlprocessing unit control the spectacles for anaglyph 3D viewing. Only theinput and output to the control processing 103 is shown in FIG. 17—notthe details of the processing that is the same as shown in FIG. 4.

If the Switch position is in the first position then the controlprocessing unit electronically synchronizes to the movie using 3Deepstechnology by controlling the left 1406 and right lenses 1405 of thefirst layer 411 of the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 1450 over the control circuits for the left lens 1603 andcontrol circuit for the right lens 1605. In this case the second layer1501 has been set so both right and left lenses of the second layer areclear. If the Switch position is in the second position then the controlprocessing unit electronically controls the 3Deeps spectacles foranaglyph 3D viewing by switching the left lens 1406 to red and rightlens 1405 to blue of the second layer 1501 of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 over the control circuits forthe left lens 1603 and control circuit for the right lens 1605. In thiscase the first layer 411 has been set so both right and left lenses ofthe first layer are clear.

This exemplary Control Unit 1403 has been purposely simplified forclarity and to show the principles of the control operation. It showstwo separate control circuits 103 and 103 a—the first 103 controlcircuit for control of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles(first layer 411), and the second 103 a control circuit for anaglyph 3Dviewing (second layer 1501). FIG. 17 shows each circuit 103 and 103 awith its own circuits for control of the left lens 1406 and control ofthe right lens 1405. It should be understood that good engineeringdesign would reuse as much circuitry as possible for two controllingfunctions of the Control Unit 1403.

TABLE 2 shows control information for Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Such control informationis necessary when the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles are under remote control rather thana manually control 1101 as shown in FIG. 14.

TABLE 2 Method Control No. Viewing Method Code Control Information 13Deeps movies Ctrl-1 Optical Density for left and right lens (2D imagesviewed as 3D) 2 Anagtyph 3D movies Ctrl-2 None 3 Intru3D 3D moviesCtrl-3 None 4 Optimum emissive colors of TV Ctrl-4 Real-time setting ofoptical density of phosphors (for Methods 1, 2, 3) right and left lens 5Polarized Lenses 3D movies Ctrl-5 None 6 Vision correction Ctrl-6Real-time optical property of density of right and left lens 7 Shutterglasses Ctrl-7 Shutter synchronization 8 Sunglasses Ctrl-8 Real-timesetting of sunglass color of right and left lens 9 Optical property oflight Ctrl-9 Optical property of right and left lens

Control information for Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacleshas been previously shown in the related patent application Ser. No.12/274,752. In that related disclosure no multi-layer or multi-useinformation was required of the spectacle control protocol since theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles had only a single-layerand a single-use. With Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that are under remote control, acontrol code sequence may be transmitted to signal the Control Unit1403—which layer of the multi-layered spectacles the controllinginformation references.

The first column of the TABLE 2 is a numbering of the methods—but nopreference is to attributed to the ordering. The ‘Method Number’ is usedfor reference in the disclosure. The second column of TABLE 2 labeled‘Viewing Method’ identifies the viewing method. Columns 1 and 2 of TABLE2 are the same as in the like labeled column of TABLE 1. The thirdcolumn of TABLE 2 labeled ‘Control Code’ has the control code in the RFsequence that is utilized by the Control Unit 1403 to switch control tothe associated lens. For instance, when the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 10,receive a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence it switch to control of the associatedmethod—in this can ‘Anaglyph 3D movies’. Once the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles have receiveda ‘Control Code’ sequence, all the control information that then followswill be interpreted to control the associated method. In the currentexample where a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence is received switching the spectaclesinto ‘Anaglyph 3D’ mode, all follow-on control information received bythe spectacles would be interpreted to as controlling the ‘Anaglyph 3D’spectacle method and lens layer. Such follow-on control informationreferences the ‘switched’ method until another control-code is received.

A description of the contents of the Follow-on control informationassociated with each of the viewing methods is indicated in column 4 ofthe table, labeled ‘Control Information’. When the Control Unit 1403 ofthe spectacles receive a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence indicating it is to switch toanaglyph mode, the control unit 1403 changes the left lens 1406 to a redand the right lens 1405 to a blue color. The spectacles stay in thismode until another CTRL-code is received switching the spectacles toanother method. Since the ‘Anaglyph’ method, activated by Control Code,‘CTRL-2’ requires no further or follow-on controlling information, theentry for ‘Anaglyph in the ‘Control Information’ column is ‘None’indicating that no further control information is required for theAnaglyph mode. Similarly, no additional control information is requiredfor Intru3D 3D movies; and, Polarized lenses. Control Information isrequired for methods 3Deeps Movies; Optimum emissive colors of TV;Vision correction; shutter glasses; sunglasses; and, Optical Property ofLight.

The control information that is received wirelessly 102 by the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesof FIG. 14 may be transmitted by any of the means disclosed in therelated patent applications including but not limited to; DVD-basedcontrol units; Digital Movie Projector control units; Television-basedcontrol units, hand-held and operated control units; spectacle-basedcontrol units, and cell-phone based control units.

Other Embodiments

While the preferred embodiments have been described using electrochromicmaterials, other electro-optical (optoelectronics) materials may beutilized. Any material for which the optical properties can becontrolled by the application of a potential across the material may beadvantageously used in the invention.

While the preferred embodiment uses 2 layers of electrochromicmaterials, even faster switching time can be achieved by using 3 or morelayers.

While the preferred embodiment uses the same voltage applied to each ofthe multi-layers of the lenses, other embodiments may achieve controlover the switching time to the optical optimal density by theapplication of different voltage across each layer of the multi-layeredlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles.

In some embodiments of the invention, several different layers ofmulti-use-electronic materials may be switch selectable and active atthe same time to achieve different optical effects. For instanceelectronically controllable vision correction may be combined withContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filtering to provide a single pair ofviewing spectacles that both correct vision while at the same timeproviding optimal 3Deeps viewing of 2D motion pictures as 3D motionpictures.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, rather than useelectrochromic materials that have the same optical properties(transmission OC curve), materials with different optical properties maybe beneficially utilized.

As lenses get older their OC curve may change. In another embodiment thecontrol program may tune the control OC curve based on age or time ofuse so that the spectacles do not appear to degrade in performance asthey get older.

The switch selection for the Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles was shown on thespectacles. Alternatively, the switch selection can be activated by theviewing media by broadcasting a Rx signal that is picked up by thereceiving unit of the 3Deeps spectacles 102, passed to the control unitof the spectacles, and which are read and acted upon by the controlprogram that controls the operation of the spectacles. For instance, acontrol code at the beginning of an anaglyph motion picture may allowthe spectacles to respond by taking the proper configuration for viewingof anaglyph 3D encoded motion pictures without any manual interventionby the viewer.

In other embodiment of the invention the multi-layered or multi-uselenses may be in the form of clip-on lenses that readily fit over normalprescription lenses.

In still another embodiment of the invention, multi-use 3Deeps viewingspectacles are fabricated from a single layer of an electropolychromismdevice.

Previous related patent applications (such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485)have disclosed systems and methods by which a motion estimation valuethat characterizes movement in a frame of a 2D motion picture may beextracted from successive frames of the motion picture. The motionestimation value and a luminance value are used to calculate an opticaldensity for the lens of the Pulfrich Filter spectacles and aretransmitted to the Pulfrich Filter spectacles. The transmitted valuesare used to control the optical density of the lenses of the PulfrichFilter spectacles. In still another embodiments of the invention, themotion estimation value is calculated from the motion estimation valuesthat are part of the MPEG digital video compression standards.

In another embodiment of the invention, the 3Deeps electrochromicsunglasses have additional variable brightness controls. In one case,the sunglasses have means by which the user can set the darkness levelof the sunglasses. That is, rather than a have Pre-selected opticaldensities value for the left lens and right lens stored in the controlunit (as in FIG. 13, the optical density value of the lenses of thesunglasses is under the control of the user. A rotary or slide switchcould be utilized to select any optical density between the low and highvalues of the switch. In another embodiment a multi-pole switch is usedso that user can select one of a set of pre-selected optical densitiesfor the lenses of the sunglasses.

In another embodiment of the invention the 3Deeps electrochromicsunglasses, the variable brightness of the lenses of the sunglassesoperate similarly as an electrochromic version of photochromatic lenses.That is, the optical density of the 3Deeps sunglasses is set inaccordance with a continuum of the ambient surrounding light. In lowlight (dark) there would be a minimum of little or not darkening of thelenses, while in intense sunlight such as at noon on a cloudless sunnyday the lenses would take an extreme dark value. Lighting situationsin-between would result in the optical density values for the lensesin-between the minimum and maximum values. This could be achieved forinstance by incorporating a photodiode on the 3Deeps spectacles thatmeasures the ambient light at the spectacle frames, and inputs thatvalue to the control unit on the spectacles.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles may not respond to every synchronization signal. Whilesome electrochromic materials may have been reported that have a cyclelife of up to 50 million changes—and even higher values can beobtained—if the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles are madefrom a material with a shortened cycle life it may be necessary to alsoadditionally consider and optimize for the operation of the spectaclesfor the cycle life. While the synchronization signals would still bebroadcast for every frame, the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles may be set to only process and respond to some of thosechanges so as efficiently use cycle life. This make sense, as scenesthat exhibit movement may be on the order of 10-30 seconds long, orlonger, and the same optical density setting will provide a near-optimalsetting for the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Toaddress cycle time then, the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles may use a combination of ad-hoc rules such as (a) respondingonly to every nth synchronization event; (b) responding to onlysynchronization events with changes to the optical density of more thana pre-set percent; (c) responding to synchronization events in whichthere is a change to direction of motion; (d) responding tosynchronization events in which there is a change in presence or absenceof motion; (e) scene change, or (f) some other motion picture frameevent.

* * *

FIG. 18 a illustrates three pictures that are employed in a method inaccordance with an embodiment. Picture A, illustrated with linesslanting upward left to right, and Picture B, illustrated with linesslanting downward from left to right. Both pictures A and B are singleframe photographs such as two side-by-side frames taken from a moviefilm showing movement of an object, for example, a woman walking down astreet or a man walking his dog. Such side-by-side frames would besimilar to each other but not identical. Picture C is a solid blackpicture.

In FIG. 18 b pictures A, B and C are arranged in sequential order, andplaced on picture frames to form a series. In FIG. 18 c this series isthen repeated to produce the appearance of movement by pictures A and B.

Turning to FIG. 19 a and the use of blended pictures, the three picturesare combined to produce a blend of CIA, blend of A/B and a blend of B/Cby using Adobe Photoshop or another program to make a 50/50 blend of thethree pictures.

In FIG. 19 b, all six pictures are placed side-by-side to create aseries and the series is copied to create a continuous orsemi-continuous film video or computer sequence where the series isrepeated a plurality of times as shown in FIG. 19 c.

FIGS. 20 a-20 c illustrates an alternative three pictures that areemployed in the method of this invention. Picture D and Picture E bothillustrate a capital A, however, in Picture D, the capital A is alignedwith the center of the frame while in Picture E the A is off-set to theright of the center of the frame (exaggerated here to be visible; inactual practice the displacement of figures might be so subtle as to notbe discernable as illustrated here). Picture C is identical to Picture Cin FIG. 18 a.

The capital A is chosen for FIGS. 20 a-20 c for illustration purposesand could be a single photograph of anything.

The three pictures are placed side-by-side to form a series. Finally,the series is copied a plurality of times to form a repeating series.The repeating series in FIG. 20 c creates the optical illusion that theletter A is moving from left to right and, if one letter A were to beslightly different in size from the other, the letter would appear to bemoving in depth, i.e. given a third dimension.

In FIGS. 20 a-20 c the background of Picture E is identical to thebackground of Picture D except that the image A is off-set slightly tothe right.

FIGS. 21 a-21 b illustrates the present invention where the series istwo of each picture placed in side-by-side frames. It has been foundthat two pictures side-by-side are visually equivalent to a blend. Inother words, a series of A, A, B, B, C, C is visually equivalent to aseries of C/A, A, A/B, B, B/C, C.

Additionally, a series made in accordance with the present inventionneed not be uniform in that the pictures can be arranged to provide adifferent rhythm or beat to the film. For example, the series could be:C/A, C/A, A, A/B, A/B, B, B, B, B/C, C, C, C. Different arrangementsprovide different visual perceptions.

Furthermore, a plurality of different series can be combined together,i.e. C/A, A, B, B, C with C/A, C/A, A, B, B, C, C to form C/A, A, B, B,C, C/A, C/A, A, B, B. C, C.

FIGS. 22 a-22 c illustrates the invention where both pictures areidentical except for the position of a superimposed image F on thepictures. Image F could be taken from the original picture G or could betaken from another picture, which is separate and distinct from picturesG and H. For example, pictures G and H could have the common backgroundof a country side road while image F is a man walking his dog. Inpicture G, the man and his dog is placed at one location while onpicture H the man and his dog is placed at a different location on thecountry road. By viewing the repeating of a series of G, H, C, a vieweris given with the impression that the man is walking his dog down theroad, from top of the frame towards the bottom of the frame, appearingto be continually moving in the same direction without changing hisactual position.

Furthermore, image pictures can be identical except that when they arearranged in the frame, one is oriented slightly lilted relative to theother. The repeating series provides the visual perception that thepicture is spinning.

Also, the size of or the orientation of image F in FIGS. 22 a-22 c canbe varied while maintaining the location of image F. Varying the sizegives the viewer the impression that the man is walking forward orbackward, depending on the order in which pictures are arranged.Changing the orientation or tilting of image F leaves the viewer withthe impression that the man is spinning.

The repeating series can be viewed in any media, it could be digitalizedor placed on conventional film for viewing.

The movement created by the invention is seamless movement, sustainedfluid entirely on-going movement.

Continuous movement means the illusion of a progressive action that cansustain as such into infinite time. For instance, a door beginning toopen, it keeps beginning to open without ever progressing to the stageof actually opening. A door, in reality, in order to repeat this verylimited movement, would have to move back and forth, recoveringterritory in order to go forward again, but in this visual illusion thedoor only moves forward. A normal film or video might approach thiseffect by multiple printing of the picture frames depicting only theforward motion, so that a return motion would be hidden from audienceeyes, but the effect would be of a visual stutter; the action would berepeating, and not continuous. The “stutter” could be made less obviousand percussive by dissolving head frames of the shot into tail frames,but only with some subject matter (i.e., a waterfall) might the repeatcharacter of the motion not be apparent.

The appearance of transfixed continuous motion (a going without goinganywhere) is created in this invention from a specific employment offlicker, the contrast created by viewing the slight shifting of apictured form or forms between the image pictures in opposition to thebridging picture. Movies have always been dependent for their illusionof continuity on flicker-rates; silent movies filmed at 16 frames persecond required 3-bladed shutters not only to block projection lightduring the successive replacing of frames but also to twice interruptthe display of each frame so as to achieve a flicker rate that theviewer would mistakenly see as uninterrupted light. Slow cranking of thefilm through the projector gave rise to “the flickers” as a pejorative.Video and computer image-continuity depends likewise on rapid on-offdisplay. The present invention purposely makes flicker apparent,utilizing the effects of emphatic flicker on the human optical/nervoussystem to create uncanny time and space illusions.

Simple alternation of a single image picture with intervals of blackness(or any other interrupting color/s) is enough to create subtle illusionsof continual sliding movement across the screen. Alternations of twoimage pictures with an interrupting interval of a solid colored pictureprovides any number of continuous motions, including motion intoillusionistic depth. While such screening-illusions of movement anddepth resemble movements and depths as seen in actuality; this is acreative artistic method and not intended as a reliable way of reportingthe actuality that may have existed in front of a camera.

As noted above, no special viewing devices are required to view thepresent invention, although certain effects can be enhanced or putthrough interesting changes when viewed with a filter intercepting andreducing light to one eye; the “Pulfrich Effect”.

Remarkably, with the present invention, depth illusions can beexperienced even by the single-eyed person. Normally our perception ofdepth, stereopsis, depends on properly functioning binocular vision, twoeyes working in tandem with each other; one of the benefits of thisinvention is to offer visual depth experience to those deprived of suchexperiences by physical defect. Because contrasting perspectivalinformation is available to both or either eye, a single eye becomessufficient to deliver the information to the brain when employing thepresent invention.

The present invention is best created on the computer, to be viewed onthe computer or transferred to film or any video format. It can also becreated directly onto film or video but the precision control possiblewith the computer is lacking.

The present invention can employ very small shifts in the placement ofobjects as seen in one picture in relationship to another similarpicture. Such small object-placement shifts are also to be found in thesimultaneously exposed pairs of frames made with a stereo still-camera,its two lenses placed horizontally apart approximately the distancebetween human eyes. The stereo still-camera offers object-placementdifferences derived, as with our two eyes, from a fixed interval ofspace: the twin perspectives recorded by lenses 2½ inches apart. Thedegree of inter-ocular distance, as it is called, enormously affects thecharacter of depth to be seen when the stereo-pair is properly viewedone picture to each eye; depth would seem very distorted, either tooshallow or too extended (with other depth aberrations) if the distancebetween our eyes was not being matched by the two-lens stereo-camera.

In contrast to stereo-camera photography, with the single-lens motionpicture camera (film or video), exploitable difference between likeimages arises from the interval of time between picture-exposures,during which the objects filmed shift in spatial relationship to eachother; or/and the camera itself moves, capturing the 3-dimensional scenefrom another perspective, and thus shifting two-dimensional placement ofpictured objects (which may not have moved in actuality) as recordedexposure to exposure. Because distance or direction traversed by thecamera between exposures is not constant, nor movement by subjectsrecorded under photographer control, the visual equation oftwo-dimensional similarities and differences from which 3-dimensionalmovements will be constructed can not produce scenes as reliablylife-like as can simultaneous stereo-exposures with a fixed horizontaldistance of 2½ inches between a pair of lenses. Eternalism 3-D movementsmade from sequential exposures are not intended to offer scientific datapertaining to reality but instead to provide odd and expressiveimpossible-in-reality impressions.

The stereo still-camera provides a pair of mentally combinable left andright eye flat image pictures; viewed one picture to each eye,similarities and differences are automatically assessed and a semblanceof familiar depth is seen. We gaze from plane to plane into a seemingdepth, the angling of our two eyes “crossing” for close objects andspreading to parallel alignment for very distant ones (Yet we remainfocused on the same plane in depth, the actual plane of the picturesurface; in life, we constantly refocus as well as angle for differentdistances.) We are not conscious, either in actual life or when lookinginto such artificial depths, of the doubling of forms (as they fall backinto 2-dimensionality) at distances that we are not at the momentangling for. This automatic angling operation of the eyes cannot happenwhen looking with both eyes at the same territory of flat picturesurface. The coinciding of opposing 2-dimensional perspectival viewingsof an object (by which volume can be conceived by the mind) must be donefor the viewer, a task greatly enabled by the computer.

The present invention revolves each set of picture-units in place, butif a figure from one perspective is not placed in a correspondinglysimilar position in its frame (and in matching horizontal alignment)with its representation as recorded from another perspective, there isonly a 2-dimensional jiggering with no volume illusion or continuousdirection of movement created. With the computer, one can slide andplace one picture, or an area of that picture, into exact relationshipwith a matching picture or area so as to achieve the precise effectdesired. (A recorded object becomes an area within a flatpicture-image.)

The slightest advance in a particular direction of the contour of onearea in relation to its match-up area determines movement in thatdirection. Slight shrinking or enlargement of one area compared to theother creates a “zooming” in or out effect. A problem in overlaying oneentire picture over another in order to match up one area usually meansother areas will not coincide, not synchronize; but the computer allowsfor each area to be matched separately and inlaid into the sceneaccording to one's depth-movement intentions for each area. Thecrazy-quilt artificiality of a scene can be hidden or obvious, its partsdrawn from a single-pair source of related images or from as manysources as desired. Photo-images can be mixed with or replaced by drawnand painted imagery. The scene can imitate real life one moment and veeroff into impossibility the next.

Again, although only two image pictures are usually cycled, more thantwo can be worked into a cycle to create a particular effect. Followingand inventing variants on the directions above, and the formula asdescribed below for sequencing frames, will create the impression ofsolid entities moving in a charmed dimension where normally transientphysical gestures can endure forever. In fact, computer interactivitycan mean the viewer deciding how long the effects of each seriescontinues. Further interactivity will give the viewer the option toplace picture of his/her own choice into this unique cycling system.

FIGS. 23 a-23 c shows two phases of an action, A & B, plus blackbridge-frame C. We see the pictures separately in FIG. 23 a; madesequentially adjacent to each other in FIG. 23 b and presented as arepeating series of pictures, as a “loop” or “cycle”, in FIG. 23 c.

FIG. 24 a demonstrates the creation of intermediary or blended framesbetween A, B and C, which are 50-50% blends producing A/C, A/B & B/C.FIG. 24 b shows them in sequence and FIG. 24 c shows them repeating asan ongoing loop.

FIG. 25 a shows one figure in isolation, removed from the previousscene. Pictures D & E may appear identical but are actually twodifferent perspectives which together make possible a 3-dimensionalfigure. While the recording camera remained in a fixed position thefigure moved before it, frame after frame, making two perspectivespossible. Because the figure moved to different positions in the twofilm frames, it was necessary to move one figure in one frame so thatboth figures would occupy the same location in both frames. It is nowpossible to see them as a single 3-dimensional figure when the framescycle in quick succession together with the bridge frame as shown inFIGS. 25 b and 25 c.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b represents the doubling of each frame in an A,B,Cseries.

FIGS. 27 a-27 c shows a section of picture G & H is repeated in theupper left corner. When observed in quick succession this series willshow the two center figures in one configuration of depth and the insetseries as an opposing configuration of depth. Left eye/right eye viewsas placed in G & H are reversed in the inset figure, so that parts ofthe figure that (3-dimensionally) approach the viewer in the largerpicture are seen to retreat away from the viewer in the smaller picture,and visa versa.

FIG. 28 illustrates two sets of four; with both similarities (J, K, M)and differences (L, N) between the sets, including in the upper leftcorner an action that straddles bridging frame (M) and picture frame(J). Note the bridging frame is not completely blank or colored.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of an Eternalism effect coexisting withmore normal screen action, and of an Eternalism repetition taking placebut with no two frames exactly alike: a visual element (the circle)proceeds frame to frame throughout as it would in a normal movie,unaffected by Eternalism looping. Again, note that the bridging frame isnot completely blank.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of Pulfrich filter spectacles: (1) clear; (2)activated to partly block light reaching figure's right eye; (3)activated to partly bock light reaching figure's left eye. Liquidcrystal reaction is one method of achieving the blocking effect.

Certain Embodiments May be Described as Follows:

In the Pulfrich filter effect, interference by the light-reducing filterhas the effect of retarding the light that does pass through it to theeye. As long as forms and objects are changing position relative to eachother as pictured frame to frame, a delayed picture seen in combinationwith a present-moment picture offers two slightly different picturessimultaneously to the mind. Thus an artificial three-dimensional imagecan be produced by the mind utilizing the same mechanisms that allow it,in viewing actuality, to produce a three-dimensional mental image fromthe pair of two-dimensional perspective-images received fromhorizontally adjacent eyes. The artificial 3-D image can be said todepend on a variable report of actuality. A Pulfrich filter used to viewactual three-dimensional space will distort that space (assuming thescene is in motion). Similarly, depth in a screenimage can be distorted,and in manifold ways, including reversal of near and far and directionof motion flow. Such distortions can have expressive artistic value.

The Pulfrich Effect, triggered (as described above) to accord withpictured directional motion on-screen, would, have applications beyonduse with Eternalized movies. Video games and other video moviesfeaturing extended screen movements to left or right could, in manyinstances, be enhanced for viewers by Pulfrich projection intothree-dimensional depth. For many such screen events for instance, ascene filmed or videotaped from a moving vehicle, especiallyperpendicularly, with the camera aimed at or close to a 90 degree anglefrom the side of the vehicle, convincingly realistic deep space wouldresult. A stipulation of realistic deep space, as made available by thePulfrich Effect, is that the partial light-absorbing filter be beforethe eye on the side to which the pictured foreground objects are seen tomove. If filming or videotaping was to be done with the camera aimedperpendicular to a vehicle's path of movement, and the camera was on thedriver's side, motion onscreen would flow screen-left, and the Pulfrichfiltering would therefore have to take place before the left eye; thusthe need to switch dark-filter placement from eye to eye in accordancewith direction of screen movement. The filter works best when there isessentially horizontal movement; when viewing an unmoving orinappropriate image, both left and right eye filters should clear.Presented as electronic media, such images would benefit from timedapplication of appropriate Pulfrich filtering. This aspect of theinvention would allow 3-dimensional movies to be created and presented(less spectacles) with the same cinema technology used for making andpresenting ordinary 2-dimensional movies.

Description of the Eternalism Optical Phenomena

The idea of an interval of action running in place without apparentbeginning, middle and end, forever swelling or turning or rising oropening, forever seeming to evolve without ever actually doing so (untilgiven a determined release into a further phase of development), can beliterally unimaginable, so alien is it to our experience. Neither inlife or on film or in electronic imagery has it been possible to createthe optical illusion of a door forever cracking open or a musclerippling or head turning or any other limited gesture continuing as suchinto potentially unlimited tune—until advent of this invention. We havetermed this phenomenon Eternalism, and we speak of pictured forms orobjects, scenes or gesture being Eternalized into Eternalisms. A furtherbenefit of this invention is enhanced 3-Dimensionality of Eternalizedimages, a 3-D that can be reasonably life-like or radically at odds withdepth as we know it.

Consider, for example, the action of a door opening. And select fromthat entire action only the fraction of time that it would take for thedoor to just begin to open, as it cracks open a narrow space alongsidethe doorframe, with the order edge of the door swinging over little morethan an inch of flooring. Designating this very limited time-spaceinterval as a movie “shot”. The most minimal movie shot possible, itconsists of only two running frames of film or video.

In reality, there would be no way to sustain into unlimited time thevery limited action of the door cracking open; to keep opening and onlyopening yet never moving past that very limited phase of just crackingopen. This motion is not repeated but sustained. The reality, of course,is that to remain in motion, and in forward motion only, one would haveto move the door to a further phase of motion: the door would have toopen wider. And the designated space-time interval would be left behind.

This is similar to someone walking against the direction of a conveyerbelt walkway (as at an airport) and at exactly the same speed of theconveyer belt, continually walking forward yet getting nowhere. TheEternalism technique is a sort of cinematic conveyer belt moving in anopposing direction to any moving image placed on it.

It is a conveyer belt with a beat, a flicker, a visual beat capable ofsupple changes. In the history of cinema, flicker—referring to visibleintervals of darkness between flashes of successive film-frames,intrusive reminders of the mechanical basis of the cinematicillusion—has been a pejorative term. To commercially entertain, thetechnology needed to quickly outgrow flicker. Yet in doing so some otherillusionistic potentials of the art, very curious departures fromlife-like representation, were never discovered, their expressivepotential left untapped, until now.

Method

Visible flicker is essential to Eternalism technique, which investigatesand utilizes different intensities of emphasis, frame choices andframe-counts of flicker in order to create entirely new illusions toaugment cinema's repertoire of visual effects. Today's audiences areentirely receptive to non-realistic representation, the textures ofvisual technologies are no longer unwelcome onscreen. Visible flickerdoes sometimes appear in movies in purposeful ways, usually representinglightning or machine-gun bursts, and even as rhythmic hits oflight-energy, but not with the methodology and results of Eternalisms.

No less than three basic units, two pictures and a bridge-interval (A,B, C), are necessary to create an Eternalism, even when picture B mightbe only a slight modification, a shifting or size reduction or expansionor tilting, etc. of picture A. On the simplest level, the series ofunits would proceed: A, B, C, A, B, C, A and so on. Each unit intervalmay be of any effective time duration, an effective smooth-workingduration for computer assembling is two frames per unit, shown here asA,A, B,B, C,C, A,A, B,B, C,C, A,A and so on. It is sometimes desired toinsert transitional frames, usually 50/50% (percentage mixture may vary)superimposed frames of adjacent units, shown here as: A, A/B, B, B/C, C,C/A, A and so on.

Additionally, all re-appearances of the basic cycling units comprisingan Eternalism needn't be exactly the same. Strict mechanical repetitioncan give way to flexible variation within the limits imposed by what isnecessary to sustain the motion/depth illusion (unless one chooses toabandon the illusion entirely for a period of time; it is expected thatfor commercial movie use of the method, that the effect would be usedintermittently, for selected scenes). Any number of factors comprising aunit-sequence may be altered from appearance to appearance as it cycles,including colors, shapes, placement of shapes, objects pictures, unitduration, etc., so that the same Eternalism would seem to remain in playwhile going through subtle or even vibrant internal changes, beforebeing replaced by a successive phase of motion or a distinctly otherselection of picture/interval units. Change in the order of units, suchas A, B, C, A, B, C, A being replaced by B, A, C, B, A, C, B wouldinitiate an immediate reversal in direction of pictured movement.Varying durations of units within an Eternalism or traveling fromEternalism to Eternalism may not only make for desired beat and rhythmchanges but also affect the apparent character of motion and/or depth ininteresting ways. A composer of a series may even choose to play againstits smooth continuity by momentary unit-replacement or interjection byother picture units, as for instance: A,A, B,B, C,C, A,D, B,B, C,E,C,A,A. The entire screen may Eternalize with the same sequential rhythm(usually the case) or different parts may sequence with differentrhythms to different pictorial effect.

Many techniques commonly in use in computer and hand-crafted movieanimation can be adapted to Eternalism use. For instance, similar toscreen combinations of photographed, reality with animation cartooning,only a section or sections of the screen image may be Eternalized whilenormal movie motion proceeds in other sections. Or a figure in normalmotion may move through an Eternalized scene. Or, among othercombination possibilities, a smaller Eternalism (which can be an objector shape or a separately framed scene) may be imbedded within a largerEternalism, or may float before it, or move—substantial yetghostlike—through it.

Stereo Vision and Special Requirements of Eternalism Composition

Eternalism images may be so composed, as to create an impression of3-dimensional volume, designed to appear more or less realistic, butnever with the degree of realism as to fool anyone that they are otherthan images. No one will ever attempt to sink a hand into one to grab atpassing fish as children do at Sony I-MAX. Eternalism depth is readilyapparent and yet more problematic, as is its character of movement.Depth isn't simple there to be taken for granted, but seems constantlycaught in the act of being generated out of flat elements. Eternalism isan illusion of depth. Our minds are given the task of entertainingtogether two conflicting impressions: of things simultaneously appearingboth flat and deep. However, the degree of 3-dimensionality that isthere can be seen without need of special viewing devices of any sort,and in fact can be seen by many persons normally deprived of any3-dimensional vision (those missing sight in one eye, for instance).

Depth as well as ongoing movement must be artificially composed in themaking of Eternalisms. Calculated placement of areas to be brought intoworking correspondence within a picture A and picture B is of paramountimportance.

It does happen that images are recorded on film or in electronic mediathat work effectively enough when sequentially overlayed with each otheras-is, so as to need little or no cut-and-paste rearrangement. But moreoften there are areas not adequately corresponding in sequentiallocation and therefore, when alternated quickly, will merely bounce backand forth from place (in A-frame) to place (in B-frame). In normalstereo-vision ones two eyes angle in and out from parallel alignment asthey match corresponding areas on their two retinal images. Each retinalimage is in fact 2-dimensional; 3-dimension vision is a result of thismuscular matching, this pulling-into-alignment activity performed bymuscles surrounding the eyes (as dictated to by viewers focus ofinterest) activity by the eyes and the mental comparing and processingof like and unlike information sent by each eye to the brain. Onlywithin a very limited interval of actual depth, up to about twenty fivefeet distance for most humans, can we effectively shift and overlayforms so as to discriminate depth accurately (eyes work in parallelbeyond that distance, with greatly reduced depth distinction). Thecloser to the eyes the target of focus, the more the eyes have to cross,and the different degrees or angles of crossing demanded as thingsapproach or recede means that while one layer of depth will be properlyshifted to overlay figures, others will not be. Selective focusing andshift in real-life visual experience, selectively attending to the 3-Dfigures creates in the mind, while ignoring—helped by a “dominanteye”—the remaining non-overlayed and doubled flat figures remaining inthe twin fields of vision, peripheral to the focus of attention.

Ignoring such peripheral mismatchings in Eternalisms does not come sonaturally. Because the image pictures alternate in appearance, theydon't quietly superimpose (with one image largely discarded from minddue to our having a “dominant eye”): non-overlayed areas will tend tojiggle and bounce, usually a distraction. Unless that is the effectwanted in a particular instance, the procedures of artificiallyoverlaying A and B picture-areas for the viewer will be carried outthroughout an Eternalism composition, into all peripheral areas of thepicture. Again, this can be done employing computer graphicscut-and-paste techniques, with the filling of areas left emptied (byremoval or shifting of a form) usually accomplished by the extending ofadjacent colors.

Picture-frames A and B may be near-identical or have only some elementswith close visual correspondence. Similarity of shape and locationwithin the frame are important factors determining the effect. This istrue to the point that entirely different pictured objects but ofsimilar shape and on-screen location will give better results than twoimages of the same object recorded from perspectives too far apart orplaced too far apart within consecutive frames, in which case the imageswill be seen to vibrate or bounce back and forth without visuallycombining into a single moving form. While matching image elements inpictures A and B must occupy almost the exact screen-space in order tocombine properly, it will be the differences between them (within closetolerances) that will produce and determine the character of movementand dimensionality. Computer graphics cut-and-paste techniques can beused to select and place, shrink and expand and otherwise manipulatematching elements (from any source) into effective screen-locationsrelative to each other. One or both pictures may be collaged or stitchedtogether from multiple sources, parts may be removed or inserted, liftedand reshaped or/and relocated. Even when the image is photographed fromlife and appears life-like, the process of composition can be asexacting and labor-intensive and involved with techniques of artifice ascartoon animation.

Embodiments

In practice, the implementation of this technique opens up a new worldof visual effects. Its uncanniness may be emphasized to createunsettling time-space aberrations for comic or dramatic effect inmovies. Or, aiming for more realistic appearance, the method could beused to provide more lively “snapshots” of familiar things and events.For instance, people could carry, programmed into a Palm Pilot-type“electronic wallet”, a great many (low memory demanding) moving replicasof loved ones in characteristic living gestures, with heightened3-dimensional presence. Even very limited movement, limited3-dimensionality, can enormously augment and reinforce visualinformation: i.e., a child's face breaks into a smile. Again, the verylow demand of electronic memory by an Eternalism (cycling as few as twopicture-frames with an interval of darkness), makes possible extensivelyillustrated electronic catalogues or even encyclopedias, supportinghundreds and eventually thousands of Eternalized illustrations. Areader-viewer might observe a home appliance in operation. Or study avisual sampling of an ocean wave breaking in its sweep to shore, studyit as has never been possible before, forever breaking from peakascendancy. One may study a springing cat, sheath of muscles slidingover ribs continually, available for sustained observation; or follow aclear demonstration of the direction a screwdriver must turn to furtherimbed a screw. Any number of instances where stereo-dimensional action(often audio-accompanied, as audio also demands little computer-memory)would communicate so much more than a still and flat image, or even amoving but flat image.

The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in everyrespect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scopeof the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from theDetailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpretedaccording to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to beunderstood that the embodiments shown and described herein are onlyillustrative of the principles of the present invention and that variousmodifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled inthe art could implement various other feature combinations withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electrically controlled spectacle forviewing a video, comprising: a spectacle frame; optoelectronic lenseshoused in the frame, the lenses comprising a left lens and a right lens,each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, whereinthe state of the left lens is independent of the state of the rightlens; and a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit beingadapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.
 2. Theelectrically controlled spectacle of claim 1, wherein each of the lenseshas a dark state and a light state.
 3. The electrically controlledspectacle of claim 2, wherein when viewing a video the control unitplaces both the left lens and the right lens to a dark state.
 4. Amethod for viewing a video, the method comprising: wearing theelectrically controlled spectacle of claim 3; and showing the wearer avideo having dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames.
 5. Theelectrically controlled spectacle of claim 3, wherein each of theoptoelectronic lenses comprises a plurality of layers of optoelectronicmaterial.
 6. A method for viewing a video, the method comprising:wearing an electrically controlled spectacle, the electricallycontrolled spectacle comprising: a spectacle frame; optoelectroniclenses housed in the frame, the lenses comprising a left lens and aright lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality ofstates, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the stateof the right lens; and a control unit housed in the frame, the controlunit being adapted to control the state of each of the lensesindependently; wherein each of the lenses has a dark state and a lightstate; wherein when viewing a video the control unit places both theleft lens and the right lens to a dark state; the method furthercomprising: showing the wearer a video having dissimilar bridge framesand similar image frames; determining a first modified image frame byremoving a first portion of a selected image frame; determining a secondmodified image frame different from the first modified image frame byremoving a second portion of the selected image frame; determining athird modified image frame different from the first and second modifiedimage frames by removing a third portion of the selected image frame;determining a first bridge image frame different from the selected imageframe and different from the first, second, and third modified imageframes; determining a second bridge image frame different from theselected image frame, different from the first, second, and thirdmodified image frames, and different from the first bridge image frame;blending the first bridge image frame with the first modified imageframe, generating a first blended image frame; blending the first bridgeimage frame with the second modified image frame, generating a secondblended image frame; blending the first bridge image frame with thethird modified image frame, generating a third blended image frame;overlaying the first blended image frame, the second blended imageframe, and the third blended image frame to generate an overlayed imageframe; displaying the overlayed image frame; and displaying the secondbridge image frame.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first bridgeimage frame comprises a non-solid color.
 8. A method for viewing avideo, the method comprising: wearing an electrically controlledspectacle, the electrically controlled spectacle comprising: a spectacleframe; optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame, the lenses comprisinga left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having aplurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independentof the state of the right lens; and a control unit housed in the frame,the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of thelenses independently; wherein each of the lenses has a dark state and alight state; wherein when viewing a video the control unit places boththe left lens and the right lens to a dark state; the method furthercomprising: showing the wearer a video having dissimilar bridge framesand similar image frames; determining a first modified image frame byremoving a first portion of a selected image frame; determining a secondmodified image frame different from the first modified image frame byremoving a second portion of the selected image frame; determining athird modified image frame by removing a third portion of the firstmodified image frame; determining a fourth modified image framedifferent from the third modified image frame by removing a fourthportion of the first modified image frame; determining a fifth modifiedimage frame different from the third and fourth modified image frames byremoving a fifth portion of the first modified image frame; determininga sixth modified image frame by removing a sixth portion of the secondmodified image frame; determining a seventh modified image framedifferent from the sixth modified image frame by removing a seventhportion of the second modified image frame; determining an eighthmodified image frame different from the sixth and seventh modified imageframes by removing an eighth portion of the second modified image frame;determining a first bridge image frame different from the first andsecond modified image frames; determining a second bridge image framedifferent from the first and second modified image frames, and differentfrom the first bridge image frame; determining a third bridge imageframe different from the first and second modified image frames, anddifferent from the first and second bridge image frames; determining afourth bridge image frame different from the first and second modifiedimage frames, and different from the first, second and third bridgeimage frames; generating a first blended image frame by blending thethird modified image frame with the first bridge image frame; generatinga second blended image frame by blending the fourth modified image framewith the second bridge image frame; generating a third blended imageframe by blending the fifth modified image frame with the third bridgeimage frame; displaying the first blended image frame, the secondblended image frame, the third blended image frame, and the fourthbridge image frame; generating a fourth blended image frame by blendingthe sixth modified image frame with the first bridge image frame;generating a fifth blended image frame by blending the seventh modifiedimage frame with the second bridge image frame; generating a sixthblended image frame by blending the eighth modified image frame with thethird bridge image frame; and displaying the fourth blended image frame,the fifth blended image frame, the sixth blended image frame, and thefourth bridge image frame.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: the fourthbridge image frame is solid white; and the spectacle frame comprises asensor adapted to receive synchronization signals embedded in the videoand provide the synchronization signals to the control unit.
 10. Amethod for viewing a video, the method comprising: wearing anelectrically controlled spectacle, the electrically controlled spectaclecomprising: a spectacle frame; optoelectronic lenses housed in theframe, the lenses comprising a left lens and a right lens, each of theoptoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state ofthe left lens is independent of the state of the right lens; and acontrol unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted tocontrol the state of each of the lenses independently; wherein each ofthe lenses has a dark state and a light state; wherein when viewing avideo the control unit places both the left lens and the right lens to adark state; the method further comprising: showing the wearer a videohaving dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames; determining afirst modified image frame by removing a first portion of a selectedimage frame; determining a second modified image frame different fromthe first modified image frame by removing a second portion of theselected image frame; determining a third modified image frame differentfrom the first and second modified image frames by removing a thirdportion of the selected image frame; determining a bridge image framedifferent from the selected image frame and different from the first,second, and third modified image frames; overlaying the first modifiedimage frame, the second modified image frame, and the third modifiedimage frame, to generate an overlayed image frame; displaying theoverlayed image frame; and displaying the bridge image frame.
 11. Amethod for viewing a video, the method comprising: wearing anelectrically controlled spectacle, the electrically controlled spectaclecomprising: a spectacle frame; optoelectronic lenses housed in theframe, the lenses comprising a left lens and a right lens, each of theoptoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state ofthe left lens is independent of the state of the right lens; and acontrol unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted tocontrol the state of each of the lenses independently; wherein each ofthe lenses has a dark state and a light state; wherein when viewing avideo the control unit places both the left lens and the right lens to adark state; the method further comprising: showing the wearer a videohaving dissimilar bridge frames and similar image frames; determining abridge image frame that is different from a first image frame anddifferent from a second image frame, the first and second image framesbeing consecutive image frames in a video; determining a first modifiedimage frame by removing a first portion of the first image frame;determining a second modified image frame different from the firstmodified image frame by removing a second portion of the first imageframe; determining a third modified image frame different from the firstand second modified image frames by removing a third portion of thefirst image frame; overlaying the first, second, and third modifiedimage frames to generate a first overlayed image frame; displaying thefirst overlayed image frame; displaying the bridge image frame;determining a fourth modified image frame by removing a fourth portionof the second image frame; determining a fifth modified image framedifferent from the fourth modified image frame by removing a fifthportion of the second image frame; determining a sixth modified imageframe different from the fourth and fifth modified image frames byremoving a sixth portion of the second image frame; overlaying thefourth, fifth, and sixth modified image frames to generate a secondoverlayed image frame; displaying the second overlayed image frame; anddisplaying the bridge image frame.
 12. A method for viewing a video, themethod comprising: wearing an electrically controlled spectacle, theelectrically controlled spectacle comprising: a spectacle frame;optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame, the lenses comprising a leftlens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having aplurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independentof the state of the right lens; and a control unit housed in the frame,the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of thelenses independently; wherein each of the lenses has a dark state and alight state; wherein when viewing a video the control unit places boththe left lens and the right lens to a dark state; the method furthercomprising: showing the wearer a video having dissimilar bridge framesand similar image frames; determining a first modified image frame byremoving a first portion of a selected image frame; determining a secondmodified image frame different from the first modified image frame byremoving a second portion of the selected image frame; determining athird modified image frame different from the first and second modifiedimage frames by removing a third portion of the selected image frame;determining a first bridge image frame different from the first, second,and third modified image frames; determining a second bridge image framedifferent from the first, second, and third modified image frames, anddifferent from the first bridge image frame; determining a third bridgeimage frame different from the first, second, and third modified imageframes, and different from the first and second bridge image frames;determining a fourth bridge image frame different from the first,second, and third modified image frames, and different from the first,second and third bridge image frames; blending the first modified imageframe with the first bridge image frame to generate a first blendedimage frame; blending the second modified image frame with the secondbridge image frame to generate a second blended image frame; blendingthe third modified image frame with the third bridge image frame togenerate a third blended image frame; overlaying the first blended imageframe, the second blended image frame, and the third blended image frameto generate an overlayed image frame; displaying the overlayed imageframe; and displaying the fourth bridge image frame.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein: the fourth bridge image frame is solid white; and thespectacle frame comprises a sensor adapted to receive synchronizationsignals embedded in the video and provide the synchronization signals tothe control unit.
 14. A method for viewing a video, the methodcomprising: wearing an electrically controlled spectacle, theelectrically controlled spectacle comprising: a spectacle frame;optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame, the lenses comprising a leftlens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having aplurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independentof the state of the right lens; and a control unit housed in the frame,the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of thelenses independently; wherein each of the lenses has a dark state and alight state; wherein when viewing a video the control unit places boththe left lens and the right lens to a dark state; the method furthercomprising: showing the wearer a video having dissimilar bridge framesand similar image frames; determining a first modified image frame byremoving a first portion of a selected image frame; determining a secondmodified image frame different from the first modified image frame byremoving a second portion of the selected image frame; determining athird modified image frame by removing a third portion of the firstmodified image frame; determining a fourth modified image framedifferent from the third modified image frame by removing a fourthportion of the first modified image frame; determining a fifth modifiedimage frame different from the third and fourth modified image frames byremoving a fifth portion of the first modified image frame; determininga sixth modified image frame by removing a sixth portion of the secondmodified image frame; determining an seventh modified image framedifferent from the sixth modified image frame by removing a seventhportion of the second modified image frame; determining an eighthmodified image frame different from the sixth and seventh modified imageframes by removing an eighth portion of the second modified image frame;determining a first bridge image frame different from the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight modified image frames;determining a second bridge image frame different from the first bridgeimage frame and different from the first, second, third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, and eight modified image frames; blending the firstbridge image frame with the third modified image frame to generate afirst blended image frame; blending the first bridge image frame withthe fourth modified image frame to generate a second blended imageframe; blending the first bridge image frame with the fifth modifiedimage frame to generate a third blended image frame; overlaying thefirst blended image frame, the second blended image frame, and the thirdblended image frame to generate a first overlayed image frame;displaying the first overlayed image frame and the second bridge imageframe; blending the first bridge image frame with the sixth modifiedimage frame to generate a fourth blended image frame; blending the firstbridge image frame with the seventh modified image frame to generate afifth blended image frame; blending the first bridge image frame withthe eighth modified image frame to generate a sixth blended image frame;overlaying the fourth blended image frame, the fifth blended imageframe, and the sixth blended image frame to generate a second overlayedimage frame; and displaying the second overlayed image frame and thesecond bridge image frame.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the firstbridge image frame comprises a non-solid color.
 16. A method for viewinga video, the method comprising: wearing an electrically controlledspectacle, the electrically controlled spectacle comprising: a spectacleframe; optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame, the lenses comprisinga left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having aplurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independentof the state of the right lens; and a control unit housed in the frame,the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of thelenses independently; wherein each of the lenses has a dark state and alight state; wherein when viewing a video the control unit places boththe left lens and the right lens to a dark state; the method furthercomprising: showing the wearer a video having dissimilar bridge framesand similar image frames; the method further comprising at least one of:generating a blended image frame by blending a plurality of imageframes; generating a combined image frame by combining a plurality ofimage frames; generating a combined image sequence by combining aplurality of image sequences; generating one or more doubled imageframes by doubling one or more image frames; generating an overlayedimage frame by overlaying a plurality of image frames; generating amodified image frame by removing a portion of an image frame; repeatingone of an image frame or a series of image frames; generating a sequenceof image frames; generating a collage based on one or more portions ofone or more image frames; stitching together one or more portions of oneor more image frames; superimposing a first image frame on a secondimage frame; determining a transitional frame; inserting and/or liftinga portion of a first image frame into a second image frame; reshaping aportion of an image frame; and relocating a portion of an image frame.